Biology Concepts: Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, and Cell Communication

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and definitions related to photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and cell communication.

Jan Baptista Van Helmont

First to deduce that plant material needs more than just soil.

Joseph Priestly

First to recognize that living vegetation releases a substance into the air.

Jan Ingenhousz

Recognized that plants use sunlight for photosynthesis.

F.F. Blackman

Discovered that photosynthesis is a multi-stage process, with one phase using light directly.

C.B. Van Neil

Proposed a formula for photosynthesis and recognized some organisms do not release O2.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants use sunlight to create food (glucose).

Glycolysis

First step in cellular respiration that splits glucose into pyruvates.

Pyruvate Oxidation

Converts pyruvate to Acetyl-CoA and releases CO₂.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

Breaks down Acetyl-CoA to produce CO₂, NADH, FADH₂, and ATP.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

Last stage of cellular respiration where most ATP is produced.

ATP synthase

Enzyme that produces ATP in the electron transport chain.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food, such as plants.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that gain energy by consuming others.

Light-Dependent Reactions

First stage of photosynthesis, occurring in thylakoids, producing ATP, NADPH, and oxygen.

Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

Second stage of photosynthesis, occurring in the stroma, using ATP, NADPH, and CO₂ to make glucose.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment in plants that absorbs light.

Carotenoids

Pigments that help in absorbing light in photosynthesis.

Signal

A molecule or signal that induces a change in cells.

Ligand

Signal molecule that binds to a receptor.

Receptor

Protein that receives and transmits signals in a cell.

Direct Contact Signaling

Cell communication that involves cells touching each other.

Paracrine Signaling

Local signals that act on nearby cells.

Endocrine Signaling

Long-distance signaling via hormones transported through the blood.

Synaptic Signaling

Communication between neurons using neurotransmitters.

Signal Transduction

The process by which a signal is transmitted through a cell.

Kinases

Enzymes that add phosphate groups to activate proteins.

Intracellular Receptors

Receptors located inside the cell that respond to lipid-soluble signals.

Membrane-bound Receptors

Receptors located on the cell surface.

Ion Channels

Membrane receptors that allow ions to flow across the membrane.

Enzymatic Receptors

Receptors that act as enzymes once activated.

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)

Common type of membrane-bound receptor involved in signaling pathways.

Glycolysis Output

Produces 2 ATP from breaking down glucose.

Krebs Cycle Output

Produces 2 ATP from fully breaking down Acetyl-CoA.

ETC ATP Yield

Produces 26-28 ATP, the highest yield in cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis Equation

6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Cell Communication Importance

Essential for regulating physiological processes within the body.

Energy Types

Autotrophs produce their own energy, while heterotrophs consume for energy.