CCP General Bio 1: Unit 5

absorption spectrum

the specific pattern of absorption for a substance that absorbs electromagnetic radiation

autotroph

an organism capable of producing its own food

Calvin cycle

the reactions of photosynthesis that use the energy stored by the light-dependent reactions to form glucose and other carbohydrate molecules

carbon fixation

the process of converting inorganic CO₂ gas into organic compounds

chlorophyll

the green pigment that captures the light energy that drives the reactions of photosynthesis

chlorophyll a

the form of chlorophyll that absorbs violet-blue and red light

chlorophyll b

the form of chlorophyll that absorbs blue and red-orange light

chloroplast

the organelle where photosynthesis takes place

electromagnetic spectrum

the range of all possible frequencies of radiation

granum

a stack of thylakoids located inside a chloroplast

heterotroph

an organism that consumes other organisms for food

light-dependent reaction

the first stage of photosynthesis where visible light is absorbed to form two energy-carrying molecules (ATP and NADPH)

mesophyll

the middle layer of cells in a leaf

photoautotroph

an organism capable of synthesizing its own food molecules (storing energy), using the energy of light

photon

a distinct quantity or “packet” of light energy

photosystem

a group of proteins, chlorophyll, and other pigments that are used in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis to absorb light energy and convert it into chemical energy

pigment

a molecule that is capable of absorbing light energy

stoma

the opening that regulates gas exchange and water regulation between leaves and the environment; plural: stomata

stroma

the fluid-filled space surrounding the grana inside a chloroplast where the Calvin cycle reactions of photosynthesis take place

thylakoid

a disc-shaped membranous structure inside a chloroplast where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place using chlorophyll embedded in the membranes

wavelength

the distance between consecutive points of a wave