Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to photosynthesis, cellular respiration, chloroplast/mitochondria anatomy, and ecological interactions from the lecture notes.

Biomagnification

The process by which a toxin becomes more concentrated in the tissues of organisms with each higher trophic level.

Pepsin

An enzyme produced in the stomach lining of carnivorous mammals that breaks down proteins and functions optimally in acidic conditions.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

A complex organic chemical composed of adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups that provides energy to drive biological processes in living cells.

NADP+

A coenzyme functioning as a universal electron carrier that accepts electrons and hydrogen atoms to form NADPH during the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

A biochemical process in which autotrophs convert light energy, carbon dioxide, and water into organic compounds, represented by the chemical equation $6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2$.

Light-Dependent Stage

The first stage of photosynthesis occurring in the thylakoid membranes (grana), where solar energy is absorbed by chlorophyll to split water and generate ATP and NADPH.

Photolysis

The process during the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis where water molecules are split using light energy to produce oxygen, hydrogen ions, and electrons.

Stroma

The colorless, gel-like matrix enclosed by the inner membrane of a chloroplast containing enzymes, DNA, RNA, and cytochromes where the light-independent reactions take place.

Grana

Stacks of disc-like thylakoid membranes embedded in the stroma of a chloroplast that contain photosynthetic pigments and increase surface area for light absorption.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship in which one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host species.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship in which both participating species benefit and neither is harmed.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other species neither benefits nor is harmed.

Light-Independent Stage (Calvin Cycle)

The second stage of photosynthesis occurring in the stroma, where NADPH and ATP are used to reduce and fix carbon dioxide into carbohydrates such as glucose.

Limiting Factor

An abiotic factor, such as light intensity, carbon dioxide availability, or temperature, that restricts the rate of a reaction regardless of the levels of other factors.

Cellular Respiration

A biochemical process in the cytosol and mitochondria that metabolizes organic compounds (glucose) aerobically or anaerobically to release energy as ATP, represented by $\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{ATP}$.

Glycolysis

The initial 10-step anaerobic pathway of cellular respiration occurring in the cytosol that breaks down one glucose molecule into two pyruvate molecules, yielding $2\,\text{ATP}$ net and $2\,\text{NADH}$.

Cristae

Folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane that provide a large surface area to maximize energy production during oxidative phosphorylation.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

The aerobic stage of cellular respiration in the mitochondrial matrix that processes pyruvate to yield $2\,\text{ATP}$, $6\,\text{NADH}$, $2\,\text{FADH}_2$, and carbon dioxide per glucose molecule.

Electron Transport Chain (Oxidative Phosphorylation)

The final stage of aerobic respiration located on the mitochondrial cristae, where electrons from NADH and FADH2 generate a chemical gradient to produce water and $32\text{--}34\,\text{ATP}$.

Alcohol Fermentation

An anaerobic cellular respiration pathway in plants, yeast, and micro-organisms that converts glucose into ethanol, carbon dioxide, and $2\,\text{ATP}$.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

An anaerobic cellular respiration pathway occurring in animal cytosol that converts glucose into lactic acid and $2\,\text{ATP}$.