Photosynthesis and photorespiration

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

Cellular Respiration

Process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Chlorophyll

Green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

Stomata

Small openings on the surface of leaves that allow gas exchange (CO2 in and O2 out).

RuBisCO

Enzyme that catalyzes the first step of carbon fixation in the Calvin cycle.

Calvin Cycle

Light-independent reactions of photosynthesis where CO2 is converted into glucose using ATP and NADPH.

ATP

Adenosine Triphosphate; the main energy currency of the cell.

Photolysis

The process of using light energy to split water molecules in photosynthesis.

NADPH

An electron carrier involved in photosynthesis that provides reducing power for the Calvin cycle.

Aerobic Respiration

Respiration process that requires oxygen to produce energy from glucose.

Photore respiration

A process that consumes O2 and produces CO2, occurring when RuBisCO accepts oxygen instead of CO2.

Thylakoid Membrane

Membrane-bound compartments inside chloroplasts where light-dependent reactions take place.

Granum

Stack of thylakoids within the chloroplasts, site of light-dependent reactions.

Chloroplast

Organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis.

G3P

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

Light-dependent reactions

Phase of photosynthesis that converts solar energy to chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.

Light-independent reactions

Also known as the Calvin cycle, uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 into glucose.

Photons

Light particles that provide energy for photosynthesis.

Xylem

Vascular tissue in plants that transports water and nutrients from the roots.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that played a significant role in the oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere.