Ch. 5 Key Terms - Concepts of Biology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terminology for photosynthesis and cellular energy from OpenStax Concepts of Biology Chapter 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 $CO_{2}$ 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.