Biology: Chap. 7

Flashcards based on lecture notes about Photosynthesis

Photosystem

A protein structure that organizes chlorophyll and other dyes to capture light energy.

Chlorophyll

A hydrophobic green dye carefully organized within the photosystem to capture sunlight.

Reaction Center

A special region at the bottom of the chlorophyll within the photosystem, containing two special chlorophyll units.

Function of Photosystem

To capture light energy and convert it to chemical energy through oxidation-reduction reactions.

Chlorophyll's Response to Sunlight

To absorb a packet of sunlight, which causes one of its electrons to be promoted to a higher energy level.

Fluorescence

When chlorophyll is by itself, the electron falls back down, releasing energy in the form of light and heat.

Resonance Energy Transfer

The process where energy is passed from one chlorophyll unit to its neighbor, causing the neighbor's electron to be promoted.

Energy Funneling

Resonance energy transfer focuses energy down to the reaction center, acting as an antenna.

Oxidation in Reaction Center

The chlorophyll in the reaction center is oxidized, and its electron leaves to an electron acceptor, converting light energy to chemical energy.

Electron Acceptor

A molecule that receives an electron from chlorophyll in the reaction center and delivers it to other components in light-dependent reactions.