Photosynthesis Lecture Notes

A collection of vocabulary flashcards to aid in studying key concepts related to photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process of transforming light energy into chemical energy by converting carbon compounds.

Photolysis

The splitting of water using light energy during photosynthesis.

Rubisco

The enzyme responsible for fixing carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that generates ATP and is located in the thylakoid membrane.

Photosystem

A complex of pigment molecules in the thylakoid membrane that aids in light absorption and electron excitation.

Action Spectrum

A graph showing the rate of photosynthesis at each wavelength of light.

Absorption Spectrum

A graph showing the percentage of light absorbed by pigments at each wavelength.

Chromatography

A technique used for the separation and identification of photosynthetic pigments.

Carbon Fixation

The process of converting carbon dioxide into organic compounds during photosynthesis.

NADPH

A reduced form of NADP that acts as a reducing agent in the synthesis of carbohydrates during photosynthesis.

Chemiosmosis

The process of ATP production that relies on the movement of protons across a membrane.

Limiting Factors

Conditions that can restrict the rate of photosynthesis, such as light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and temperature.

Calvin Cycle

Light-independent reactions in photosynthesis that convert carbon dioxide into glucose.

Thylakoid

Membrane-bound compartments inside chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place.

Wavelength

The distance between successive peaks of a wave, which influences energy and absorption in photosynthesis.