Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, and Cycles of Nature Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering photosynthesis, cellular respiration, cellular organelles, and natural cycles based on the lecture material.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use sunlight to make food (glucose) while releasing oxygen.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which living organisms break down food (glucose) to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Evaporation

The process in which heat from the Sun changes water from oceans, rivers, lakes, and puddles into water vapor.

Transpiration

The biological process where plants absorb water through their roots and release it as water vapor through tiny pores called stomata in their leaves.

Stomata

Tiny pores in plant leaves through which carbon dioxide is taken in and water vapor is released.

Glycolysis

The metabolic process occurring in the cytoplasm that breaks down one glucose molecule into two pyruvate molecules, producing a net gain of two ATP and two NADH molecules without requiring oxygen.

Krebs Cycle

Also known as the citric acid cycle or TCA cycle, a main loop of chemical reactions that living cells use to release stored energy from food.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; the direct energy currency that powers cell work.

NADH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; an electron carrier that helps create ATP.

Carbon Cycle

The continuous process by which carbon moves between the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, soil, rocks, and living organisms.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface through main stages such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Chloroplast

The cell organelle located mostly in leaf cells that contains chlorophyll, captures sunlight, and carries out photosynthesis.

Mitochondria

The cell organelle known as the powerhouse of the cell that carries out respiration to produce energy for growth, movement, and repair.

Phytoplankton

Tiny ocean organisms that, along with plants, trees, and algae, produce oxygen through photosynthesis.

Chemical Formula for Cellular Respiration

$$\text{Glucose} + \text{Oxygen} \rightarrow \text{Carbon Dioxide} + \text{Water} + \text{ATP (Energy)}$$