Energy Harvesting and Photosynthesis

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cellular respiration and photosynthesis as outlined in Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 of the biology lecture notes.

Cellular Respiration

A process that all living things use to convert glucose into energy.

Glycolysis

The first step in the breakdown of glucose to extract energy for cell metabolism.

Acetyl-CoA

A two-carbon acetyl group formed from pyruvate that enters the citric acid cycle.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions producing carbon dioxide, ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that produces energy in low oxygen conditions, including lactic acid and alcohol fermentation.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process during aerobic respiration where ATP is generated via an electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

NADH

A reduced form of NAD+ that carries high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that creates ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate during chemiosmosis.

Light-Dependent Reactions

The part of photosynthesis that captures solar energy to produce NADPH and ATP.

Calvin Cycle

A series of reactions in photosynthesis that fix CO2 to build carbohydrate molecules.

Chlorophyll a

The main pigment in plants that absorbs violet-blue and red light and converts light energy to chemical energy.

Carotenoids

Accessory pigments that absorb light and protect plants from free radicals.

RuBisCO

An enzyme that catalyzes the fixation reaction in the Calvin cycle.

G3P

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate; a three-carbon sugar produced in the Calvin cycle.

Photosystem II

The first photosystem in the light-dependent reactions that absorbs sunlight to initiate photosynthesis.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of ions across a selectively permeable membrane, driving the synthesis of ATP.

Preparatory Reaction

The process in cellular respiration where pyruvate is converted to Acetyl-CoA before entering the Citric Acid Cycle.

Electron Transport Chain

a series of protein complexes and other molecules which transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors via redox reactions (both reduction and oxidation occurring simultaneously) and couples this electron transfer with the transfer of protons (H⁺ ions) across a membrane

Lactic Acid Fermentation

A type of anaerobic fermentation that converts glucose into lactic acid, producing ATP to regenerate NAD+ during oxygen-deprived conditions. This process is commonly performed by animals (e.g., in muscle cells during intense exercise) and certain bacteria (e.g., in yogurt and cheese production).

Alcohol Fermentation

A process that converts glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide, producing ATP while regenerating NAD+ under anaerobic conditions. This is commonly used by yeast in the production of alcoholic beverages and bread.

Photosynthetic Reaction

The process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, using carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen.

Chlorophyll b

A green pigment found in chloroplasts that assists in photosynthesis by absorbing light in the blue and red-orange wavelengths, complementing the primary pigment chlorophyll a.

Phycobiliproteins

Colored proteins found in cyanobacteria and red algae that capture light for photosynthesis, absorbing wavelengths that chlorophyll cannot. Important in low light ocean areas

Output of Calvin Cycle

is glucose, NADP+, and ADP. It occurs in the stroma of chloroplasts, utilizing ATP and NADPH produced during the light-dependent reactions.

Input of Calvin Cycle

is carbon dioxide (CO2) and ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP). It involves the fixation of CO2 into an organic molecule, which is then converted into glucose.