Biology 1 - Mod 5 Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Compound used by cells to store and release energy

Photosynthesis

Process used by plants and other autotrophs to capture light energy and use it to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water in to oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches

Chlorophyll

Principle pigment of plants and other photosynthetic organisms

Thylakoid

Saclike photosynthetic membranes found in chloroplasts

Stroma

Fluid portion of the chloroplast outside of the thylakoids

Light-dependent reactions

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

Light-independent reactions

Set of reactions in photosynthesis that do not require light; energy from ATP and NADPH is used to build high-energy compound such as sugar; also known as the Calvin Cycle

Electron transport chain

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

Cellular respiration

Process that releases energy by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen

Aerobic

Process that requires oxygen

Anaerobic

Process that does not require oxygen

Glycolysis

First set of reactions of cellular respiration in which a molecule of glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvic acid

Kreb's Cycle

Second stage of cellular respiration in which pyruvic acid is broken down into carbon dioxide in a series of energy-extracting reactions

Matrix

Innermost compartment of the mitochondrion

Fermentation

Process by which cells release energy in the absence of oxygen