Miller and Levine Biology: Chapter 9-Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in the bonds of carbohydrates(food)

pigment

A colored chemical compound that absorbs light

chlorophyll

A green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plants, algae, and some bacteria

thylakoid

A flattened membrane sac inside the chloroplast, used to convert light energy into chemical energy.

stroma

The fluid of the chloroplast surrounding the thylakoid membrane; involved in the synthesis of glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

NADPH

carrier molecule produced in the light dependent reactions that transfers high-energy electrons and hydrogen to the Calvin Cycle

light-dependent reactions

reactions of photosynthesis that use energy from light to produce ATP and NADPH

Calvin Cycle

(Or light independent reactions)

reactions of photosynthesis in which energy from ATP and NADPH is used to build high-energy compounds such as sugars from CO2 from the atomosphere

Sun

The ultimate source of energy for life

Autotrophs

Organisms capable of making their own food

Plants

Autotrophs that transform light energy into glucose that can be used for food or building blocks

Heterotrophs

Organisms that consume food for energy and building blocks

ATP

one of the principal chemical compounds that cells use to store energy form of energy used by cells to do work

ADP

After ATP releases energy by transferring a phosphate to something else

Structure of ATP

Adenine, Ribose, and 3 Phosphate groups

Food

The energy source used to turn ADP back into ATP

Chemical reaction of photosynthesis

6CO2 + 6H20 (light)-> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Carbon dioxide + water (light) sugars + oxygen

Reactants of Photosynthesis

Carbon Dioxide + water

Products of Photosynthesis

Sugars (primarily glucose) + oxygen

Pigments

Light absorbing molecules that gather the sun's energy; found in plants

Chlorophyll

Principal pigments in plants

green

Pigments reflect electromagnetic wavelenght of this color

Blue-violet and Red

Colors of visible light chlorophyll absorbs well

2 main stages of photosynthesis

1) Light Dependent Reactions

2) Light Independent Reactions or Calvin Cycle

Reactant of light dependent cycle

water, NADP+ and ADP

Product of light dependent cycle

Oxygen, NADPH and ATP

Reactants of Calvin Cycle

carbon dioxide, NADPH and ATP

Products of Calvin Cycle

Glucose, NADP+ and ADP

Factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis

The amount of light, carbon dioxide, water and temperature

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs

grana (granum)

stacks of thylakoids

electron carriers

molecules that can carry high energy electrons through the electron transport chain

Photosystem

cluster of chlorophyll and proteins found in thylakoids

photosystem II (PS II)

1st of two light harvesting units in thylakoid membrane that passes excited electrons to reaction-center chlorophyll makes ATP

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

series of electron carrier proteins that shuttle high-energy electrons during ATP-generating reactions

photosystem I

One of two light-harvesting units of a chloroplast's thylakoid membrane; it uses the P700 reaction-center chlorophyll. makes NADPH

ATP synthase

Large protein that uses energy from H+ ions to bind ADP and a phosphate group together to produce ATP

C4 plants

A plant in which the Calvin cycle is preceded by reactions that incorporate CO2 into a four-carbon compound, the end product of which supplies CO2 for the Calvin cycle.

CAM plants

A plant that uses crassulacean acid metabolism, an adaptation for photosynthesis in arid conditions. In this process, carbon dioxide entering open stomata during the night is converted to organic acids, which release CO2 for the Calvin cycle during the day, when stomata are closed.