Unit 5 Cell Energy: Photosynthesis Vocabulary

Solar Energy

energy that comes from the sun

Chemical Energy

A form of potential energy that is stored in chemical bonds between atoms.

Epidermis

outer layer of a leaf

Mesophyll

the interior tissue of the leaf

Pigments

Colored chemical compounds that absorb light

Electron Carrier

a compound that can accept a pair of high-energy electrons and transfer them, along with most of their energy, to another molecule

ATP

main energy source that cells use for most of their work

ADP

a lower-energy molecule that can be converted into ATP by the addition of a phosphate group

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs

Thylakoid

saclike photosynthetic membranes found in chloroplasts

Photosystem

cluster of chlorophyll and proteins found in thylakoids

ATP Synthase

The enzyme that make ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.

CO2 Fixation

CO2 is reduced to carbohydrates

Photosynthesis

Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.

Chemosynthesis

process in which chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates