5.2.1 Photosynthesis - Chloroplasts

What is an autotroph?

An organisms that uses simple inorganic raw materials and energy to produce their own complex organic molecules like lipid, carbohydrate and protein.

What is a photoautotroph?

An organism that converts light energy to chemical energy in the process of photosynthesis e.g. green plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria (e.g. cyanobacteria).

What is a heterotroph?

An organism that breaks down complex organic molecules into simple soluble ones and absorbs them e.g. animals, fungi and some bacteria.

Which organ in the plant would have the most chloroplasts in its cells?

a leaf

Which tissue in a leaf would have the most chloroplasts in its cells?

palisade mesophyll tissue

What are the three reactions that take place during photosynthesis?

Photolysis The light dependent reaction The light independent reaction

What is the jelly-like substance in the centre of a chloroplast called?

stroma

What is the function of the stroma?

site of light independent reaction

What is the function of the thylakoids?

site of light dependent reaction

What are the lamellae (singular lamella) in a chloroplast?

extensions of the thylakoids that extend from one granum to another.  As they are part of the thylakoids, the light dependent reaction happens on lamellae.

What is a granum (plural grana)?

a stack of thylakoids

How are chloroplasts and mitochondria similar?

- They are both surrounded by double membranes. - They both contain a gel-like substance in the centre (matrix/stroma) which is similar to the cytoplasm. - They both have their own DNA.

What is a photosynthetic pigment?

A coloured biological compound, which absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

What does phosphorylation mean?

addition of a phosphate

What is photophosphorylation?

The addition of a phosphate (to ADP to make ATP) in the chloroplasts during photosynthesis and due to the absorption of light energy.