Lab Exercise 10: Photosynthesis Vocabulary Deck

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, processes, structures, and lab mechanics from Lab Exercise 10: Photosynthesis.

Balanced Photosynthesis Equation

The chemical equation $6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{Light Energy} \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$, where $H_2O$ is oxidized to $O_2$ and $CO_2$ is reduced to Glucose.

Source of Energy for Photosynthesis

Sunlight/Solar Energy

Producer

Organism that creates complex organic compounds from simple inorganic molecules.

Photoautotroph

Organism that uses light energy to make organic food (self-feeder).

Consumer

Organism obtaining energy by feeding on other organisms.

Heterotroph

Organism that must ingest pre-formed organic matter.

Photosynthetic Organisms

Organisms capable of photosynthesis, including Plants, Green Algae (e.g., Spirogyra, Volvox), Euglenoids, and Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).

Cuticle

Hydrophobic waxy coat on a leaf that prevents water evaporation.

Epidermis

Protective upper and lower cell boundaries of a leaf.

Palisade Mesophyll

Dense columnar cells in a leaf that serve as the main photosynthesis site.

Spongy Mesophyll

Loose tissue in a leaf with air space for gas exchange.

Stomata & Guard Cells

Openings and regulatory cells on a leaf that control $CO_2$ intake and $O_2$ release.

Vascular Bundle (Vein)

Leaf transport structure composed of Xylem ($H_2O$ transport) and Phloem (sugar transport).

Thylakoid

Membrane sac in a chloroplast housing chlorophyll; site of Light Reactions.

Granum (pl. Grana)

A stack of thylakoids inside a chloroplast.

Stroma

Fluid matrix of a chloroplast; site of the Calvin Cycle ($CO_2$ fixation).

Photolysis

The splitting of $H_2O$ during light reactions that generates Oxygen Gas ($O_2$).

Red and Blue Light Wavelengths

Light wavelengths at $\sim 650\text{--}700\,nm$ (Red) and $\sim 430\text{--}450\,nm$ (Blue), which are strongly absorbed by Chlorophyll a and b to yield the highest rate of photosynthesis.

Green Light Wavelength

Light wavelengths at $\sim 500\text{--}550\,nm$ (Green), which are mostly reflected or transmitted, yielding the lowest rate of photosynthesis because green light fails to excite photosynthetic reaction centers.

Light Saturation Point

The point under high light intensity where the rate of photosynthesis levels off (plateaus) because enzymes (e.g., RuBisCO) or electron carriers become saturated.

Aquatic Carbon Dioxide Sources

Dissolved Carbon Dioxide Gas [$CO_2(aq)$] and Bicarbonate Ions [$HCO_3^-$] derived from dissolved carbonate salts, absorbed by aquatic plants like Elodea / Anacharis.

Phenol Red Indicator Mechanics

A pH indicator mechanism where adding exhaled $CO_2$ forms Carbonic Acid ($H_2CO_3$) turning Phenol Red yellow (acidic), and plant absorption of $CO_2$ in light removes acid turning it back to red/pink (neutral/basic).

Stationary Phase (Paper Chromatography)

The polar cellulose paper matrix that binds polar pigments during paper chromatography.

Mobile Phase (Paper Chromatography)

The nonpolar solvent (e.g., Petroleum Ether & Acetone) that dissolves and carries nonpolar pigments up the paper during chromatography.

Carotenes

Yellow-Orange pigments forming Band 1 (Top Front) on a chromatogram; most nonpolar and most soluble.

Xanthophylls

Yellow pigments forming Band 2 (Upper Mid) on a chromatogram; moderately nonpolar.

Chlorophyll a

Blue-Green pigment forming Band 3 (Lower Mid) on a chromatogram; slightly polar.

Gas produced during Photosynthesis

Oxygen produced as a byproduct during the light-dependent reactions

Chlorophyll b

Yellow-Green pigment forming Band 4 (Bottom Origin) on a chromatogram; most polar and least soluble.

Solubility

Separation of photosynthetic pigments occur due to differences in

Changing Light Source for Photosynthesis

Green light decreased because less usuable light is being used which means less photosynthesis. Regular light means more photosynthesis.

Light Distance for photosynthesis

Closer distance means more photosyntheis. Further distance means less.

Carbon Dioxide source for aquatic plants

Sodium bicarbonate

Solubility of photosynthetic pigments

Carotein (Yellow) is the most soluable, then blue green, yellow green, and regular green