Bio 181 - Photosynthesis flashcards

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to photosynthesis, focusing on processes, structures, and types of plants involved.

Photosynthesis

The process of using sunlight to produce sugar (carbohydrates) from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

Chlorophyll

The main photosynthetic pigment in plants that absorbs light in the blue/violet and orange/red ranges and reflects green light.

Calvin Cycle

A series of light-independent reactions in photosynthesis that convert carbon dioxide into sugars using ATP and NADPH produced during the light-dependent reactions.

RuBisCO

The most abundant protein on Earth; an enzyme that catalyzes the fixation of carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle.

Photosystems

Complexes that contain chlorophyll and accessory pigments, which capture and funnel light energy to the reaction center during photosynthesis.

Light-dependent Reactions

The first stage of photosynthesis that occurs in the thylakoid membranes, where sunlight is converted to chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of proteins in the thylakoid membrane that transfer electrons from water to NADP+, generating a proton motive force used to produce ATP.

C3 Plants

Plants that perform photosynthesis by incorporating carbon dioxide directly into a 3-carbon molecule (3-phosphoglycerate) during the Calvin cycle.

C4 Photosynthesis

A process in some plants where carbon dioxide is first fixed into a 4-carbon compound, which is then converted to sugar in specialized cells.

CAM Plants

Plants that fix carbon dioxide at night and run the Calvin cycle during the day, allowing them to minimize water loss in hot, dry conditions.