Chapter 5: Photosynthesis

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to photosynthesis as discussed in Chapter 5 of the lecture.

Photosynthesis

The process of converting light energy into chemical energy, specifically sugars.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis, such as plants and algae.

Chlorophyll

The main photosynthetic pigment in plants, responsible for absorbing light energy.

Carbon fixation

The process of converting carbon dioxide into organic compounds during photosynthesis.

Rubisco

An enzyme that catalyzes the first step of carbon fixation in the Calvin cycle.

Light Reactions

The first stage of photosynthesis, occurring in the thylakoids, where light energy is converted into ATP and NADPH.

Calvin Cycle

The second stage of photosynthesis, occurring in the stroma, where ATP and NADPH are used to produce sugars.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that produces ATP using the proton gradient generated during the light reactions.

Photosystem

A structure within the thylakoid membrane that contains pigments and is essential for capturing light energy.

PGAL

Phosphoglyceraldehyde, a 3-carbon sugar molecule produced in the Calvin cycle.