Photosynthesis

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, with visible light being the segment most important to life.

Visible Light

The narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum between about 380 and 750 nanometers, detected as colors by the human eye.

Biological Pigments

Substances that absorb visible light, categorized mainly into chlorophylls and carotenoids.

Chlorophylls

Main photosynthetic pigments in plants that absorb red and blue-violet light and give leaves their green color.

Carotenoids

Accessory pigments that absorb blue-violet light and appear orange, yellow, or red.

Absorption Spectrum

A profile of how different photosynthetic pigments absorb various wavelengths of light.

Action Spectrum

Profiles the effectiveness of different wavelength light in fueling photosynthesis, plotted against photosynthetic rate.

Photosynthetic Rate

The rate at which plants produce carbohydrates through photosynthesis, affected by environmental factors.

Environmental Factors

Conditions that impact photosynthesis, including light availability, carbon dioxide levels, and temperature.

Ribulose Bisphosphate (RuBP)

A 5-carbon compound that begins the Calvin cycle by reacting with carbon dioxide.

Rubisco

The enzyme that catalyzes the carboxylation of RuBP in the Calvin cycle.

Glycerate-3-Phosphate (GP)

A 3-carbon molecule formed as an unstable intermediate in the Calvin cycle.

Triose Phosphate (TP)

An alternative 3-carbon compound formed from the reduction of GP, used to produce other organic molecules.

ATP

A molecule that provides energy for various cellular processes and is produced in light-dependent reactions.

NADPH

A reducing agent generated in light-dependent reactions, used in the Calvin cycle for reduction processes.

Regeneration of RuBP

The final step in the Calvin cycle where remaining TP molecules are used to regenerate RuBP.

Hexose Sugar

A 6-carbon sugar such as glucose, produced after two cycles of the Calvin cycle.

Light Independent Reactions

Photosynthetic reactions that do not require light, utilizing ATP and NADPH to produce glucose.

Glucose

A simple sugar produced in photosynthesis, serving as fuel for cellular respiration.

Cellulose

A structural component of plant cell walls, synthesized from glucose.

Starch Granules

Storage form of glucose in plants, which converts back to glucose when energy is needed.

Fructose

A sugar found in ripe fruit, derived from glucose during carbohydrate metabolism.

Sucrose

A disaccharide sugar found in sugar cane, produced from glucose.

Lipids

Organic compounds that are derived from glucose and serve various functions in the plant.

Amino Acids

Building blocks for proteins, which can also be synthesized from products of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use light to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Catalysis

The acceleration of a reaction process by a catalyst, crucial for many steps in photosynthesis.

Wavelength

The distance between successive peaks of a wave, which influences light absorption during photosynthesis.

Carbon Fixation

The process of converting inorganic carbon (CO2) into organic compounds, primarily during the Calvin cycle.

Light-Dependent Reactions

Reactions in photosynthesis that depend on light to produce ATP and NADPH.

NADP+

An electron carrier that is reduced to NADPH during the light-dependent reactions.

Photons

Elementary particles of light that drive the process of photosynthesis.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs, containing chlorophyll and other pigments.

Light Harvesting Complexes

Protein and pigment assemblies that capture light energy to drive photosynthesis.

Photosystem II

Complex involved in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis that absorbs light energy.

Photosystem I

Complex that further processes electrons during the light-dependent reactions, generating NADPH.

RuBisCO function

To catalyze the first step of carbon fixation in the Calvin cycle.

Photorespiration

A process where RuBisCO oxidizes RuBP instead of carboxylating it, reducing photosynthetic efficiency.

CO2 consumption measurement

Method used to determine the efficiency of photosynthesis for different wavelengths.

Energy Transfer

The process in which energy absorbed from light is transferred to chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

Plant Nutrition

The study of how plants obtain and utilize nutrients essential for growth and metabolism.

Assimilation

The process by which plants incorporate nutrients and convert them into usable forms.

Photosynthesis Equation

The chemical formula representing photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Carbon Dioxide Sinks

Natural systems that absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than they release.

Cellular Respiration

Metabolic process by which cells convert glucose into energy, utilizing oxygen.

Ecological Importance of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis sustains life by providing oxygen and organic compounds necessary for other organisms.

Alternative Energy Sources

Using products of photosynthesis like biofuels derived from plants for energy.

Ecosystem Health Indicator

Levels of photosynthetic activity can indicate the overall health of an ecosystem.

Carbon Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle in which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Anthropogenic Effects

Human-induced changes that can affect photosynthesis and, consequently, the carbon cycle.

Climate Change Influence

Changes in climate patterns that impact photosynthetic rates and plant productivity.

Photosynthetic Efficiency

A measure of how effectively plants convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.