11: Photosynthesis!

Metabolic reactions

Biochemical reactions carried out to maintain homeostasis.

ATP

A denotive triphosphate → energy currency of cells.

NADPH

NADPH → NADP^+ + H + 2e (which can be donated to other molecule).

Light-dependent reactions

Reactions occurring in and across thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts, where water is split, oxygen is produced, and ATP and NADPH are generated.

Light-independent reactions

Reactions occurring in the chloroplast stroma where CO2 is used and 3-carbon compounds are produced.

Chlorophyll a

Primary pigment in plant pigments that absorbs blue/violet and red visible light for conversion into chemical energy.

Chlorophyll b

Accessory pigment in plant pigments that expands on the spectrum of chlorophyll a and transfers energy to chlorophyll a.

Photosystems

Complexes formed by clustering chlorophyll pigments together, consisting of proteins and pigment molecules, which convert light energy into chemical energy.

Rubisco

Enzyme responsible for carbon fixation in the Calvin-Benson cycle, incorporating inorganic CO2 into organic compounds.

Photorespiration

Metabolic phenomenon that can occur when environmental conditions are hot and/or dry, leading to the reaction of Rubisco with oxygen instead of CO2.

C3 plants

Plants that fix CO2 into 3-carbon compounds directly in the Calvin cycle, accounting for 94% of all planetary biomass.

C4 plants

Plants adapted to carry out photosynthesis more efficiently under moderate-to-hot, drier conditions by separating initial carbon fixation and the Calvin-Benson cycle.

CAM plants

Plants adapted to carry out photosynthesis more efficiently under extremely hot and tropical conditions by separating carbon fixation and cycling in time.

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