Biological Processes and Ecology Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering photosynthesis, cellular respiration, cell division, gametogenesis, and ecological cycles based on lecture notes.

Photosynthesis Photon Energy Storage

During the process of photosynthesis, the energy from light photons is initially deposited in molecules such as $NADPH + ATP$.

Thylakoids of the Grana and Stroma

The specific locations within the chloroplast where all reactions of the light phase of photosynthesis occur.

Photolysis of Water Electrons

The specific components resulting from the breakdown of water used to reduce $NADP^+$ into $NADPH$.

C3 Plant

A plant in which the first product of photosynthesis contains three carbons.

C4 Plant

A plant in which the first product of photosynthesis contains four carbons.

Grana

Chloroplast structures representing overlaid thylakoid sacs.

Chlorophyll $\alpha$ Absorption

The pigment in green plants that absorbs a portion of the visible spectrum of sunlight.

Calvin Cycle Location

The process of photosynthesis that is independent of light and takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast.

Photophosphorylation Mechanism

A process in photosynthesis that is mechanically similar to oxidative phosphorylation in respiration.

Mitochondria

The cellular organelle where the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation take place.

Glycolysis

A catabolic pathway common to both aerobic respiration and the lactic fermentation of glucose.

Krebs Cycle Products

The chemical outputs of the citric acid cycle including $ATP$, $NADH$, $FADH_2$, and $CO_2$.

Aerobic Respiration Intermediate Reaction

The step that connects glycolysis to the Krebs cycle by converting pyruvate into $acetyl \sim CoA$.

Mitochondrial Matrix

The specific location in eukaryotic cells where many enzymes of the Krebs cycle are localized.

Final Electron Acceptor in ETC

The role of $O_2$ at the end of the mitochondrial electron transport chain.

ATP Synthase H+ Flow

The enzyme that allows the flow of $H^+$ from the intermembrane space toward the mitochondrial matrix to synthesize $ATP$.

Calculated Total $ATP$

The theoretical total number of $ATP$ molecules formed during the breakdown of one glucose molecule in cellular respiration is $38\,ATP$.

$S$ phase

The specific stage of the cell cycle interphase where $DNA$ doubling (replication) occurs.

$G_0$ Phase

The phase where non-regenerating cells, such as nerve cells, remain.

Cytokinesis

The process representing the division of the cytoplasm.

Karyokinesis

The process representing the division of the cell nucleus.

Crossing-over

The event occurring during Prophase I of meiosis where genetic material is exchanged between homologous chromosomes.

Tetrads

Groups of four chromatids formed during Prophase I of meiosis.

Sertoli Cells

Cells located in the seminiferous tubules that help in the conversion of spermatids into spermatozoa.

Double Fertilization

A process in flowering plants where the egg cell is fertilized by one anterozoid and the secondary nucleus is fertilized by another.

Decomposers

Organisms in an ecosystem that convert organic compounds back into inorganic substances.

Rhizobium Bacteria

Bacteria found in the roots of legumes that fix atmospheric nitrogen.

The 10% Law

The ecological principle stating that when moving from one link in the food chain to the next, only $10\%$ of the energy is used for new biomass.

Cyclic AMP ($cAMP$)

A molecule that acts as a secondary messenger in intracellular signaling.

RDP-carboxylase

The enzyme that catalyzes the binding of $CO_2$ with $RDP$ during the Calvin-Benson cycle.