AP Biology - Photosynthesis

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What is photosynthesis?

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31 Terms

1

What is photosynthesis?

The process by which chloroplasts capture light energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy stored in sugars and other organic molecules.

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2

What are autotrophs?

Organisms that produce organic molecules from CO2 and inorganic raw materials, serving as the ultimate source of organic compounds for heterotrophic organisms.

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3

What do heterotrophs depend on for nourishment?

Heterotrophs depend on organic compounds produced by other organisms.

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4

What is the primary pigment involved in photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll, which is located in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.

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5

Define the equation for photosynthesis.

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

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6

What is the Calvin cycle?

The second stage of photosynthesis that uses ATP and NADPH to incorporate CO2 from the atmosphere into sugar.

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7

What are the two main stages of photosynthesis?

The light reactions and the Calvin cycle.

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8

Where does photosynthesis occur in plant cells?

In chloroplasts, primarily in the mesophyll cells of leaves.

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9

What is the role of stomata in photosynthesis?

Stomata are microscopic pores that allow CO2 to enter and O2 to exit the leaf.

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10

What is the main carbohydrate product of the Calvin cycle?

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P), which can be used to make glucose.

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11

What is photorespiration?

A process where the enzyme rubisco adds O2 to RuBP instead of CO2, leading to a decrease in photosynthetic output.

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12

What is the difference between C3 and C4 plants?

C3 plants fix CO2 directly, while C4 plants first fix CO2 into a four-carbon compound to minimize photorespiration.

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13

What are the light reactions of photosynthesis?

Processes that convert solar energy to chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.

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14

What happens during the light reactions?

Water is split, electrons are transferred to NADP+ forming NADPH, and ATP is generated via chemiosmosis.

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15

What is the role of ATP in the Calvin cycle?

ATP provides energy needed to synthesize sugars during the Calvin cycle.

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16

What is NADPH?

An electron carrier that provides reducing power during the Calvin cycle to convert CO2 into sugars.

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17

What is the primary electron acceptor in photosystem II?

A protein complex that captures the excited electron from P680 chlorophyll.

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18

Describe cyclic electron flow.

An alternative pathway in photosynthesis where electrons cycle back to photosystem I, generating ATP without producing NADPH or O2.

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19

What is the endosymbiont theory?

A theory suggesting that chloroplasts originated from photosynthetic prokaryotes living inside a eukaryotic cell.

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20

What are grana?

Stacked columns of thylakoids in chloroplasts where the light reactions of photosynthesis take place.

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21

How do chlorophyll pigments contribute to photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll absorbs light energy, which excites electrons to drive the light reactions.

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22

What is the source of oxygen produced during photosynthesis?

Oxygen produced during photosynthesis comes from the splitting of water (H2O) molecules.

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23

What are the reactants of photosynthesis?

The reactants of the overall photosynthesis equation are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

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24

What is the significance of the action spectrum?

It measures the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in driving photosynthesis.

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25

What is chemiosmosis?

The process of generating ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using the proton gradient established by the electron transport chain.

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26

What is the primary purpose of the light reactions?

To convert solar energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH for use in the Calvin cycle.

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27

What types of plants use CAM photosynthesis?

Succulent plants like cacti and pineapples, which fix CO2 at night and use it during the day.

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28

What is the result of photorespiration?

It reduces the efficiency of photosynthesis by consuming ATP and releasing CO2 instead of fixing it.

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29

How does photosynthesis contribute to the biosphere?

Photosynthesis is fundamental for life, providing essential organic compounds and oxygen for living organisms.

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30

What happens during carbon fixation in the Calvin cycle?

CO2 is attached to ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) to begin the cycle.

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31

How does a spectrophotometer work in studying pigments?

It measures the light absorption of pigments at different wavelengths to create an absorption spectrum.

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