bio - unit 3: matter and energy transformations & ecosystems

light dependent reactions

photosynthesis: uses light energy, takes place in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast

light independent reactions

photosynthesis: also known as the Calvin cycle, uses no light energy and takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast

chloroplasts

organelles unique to plant cells where photosynthesis takes place.

chlorophyll

pigment unique to plants that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis

photosystems

has chlorophyll and where light energy is absorbed. photosystem II comes before photosystem I in the light dependent reactions

ATP synthase

enzyme that synthesizes ATP. most commonly uses energy from an ion gradient

glycolysis

first step of cellular respiration: occurs in the cytoplasm and breaks glucose down into pyruvate

krebs/citric acid cycle

second step of cellular respiration: occurs in the mitochondria and breaks down pyruvate, produces citric acid and releases CO₂

oxidative phosphorylation

third step of cellular respiration where the most ATP is produced: uses an ion gradient to synthesize ATP in an ATP synthase

mitochondria

the site of cellular respiration in living things

aerobic respiration

uses O₂, makes up to 38 ATP

anaerobic respiraton

does not use O₂ and goes through fermentation instead of the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation

biotic factors

living factors that can affect an environment. ex.: predation, mutualism, parasitism, etc.

abiotic factors

nonliving factors that can affect biotic factors and it’s environment. ex.: water, weather, sunlight, oxygen, carbon dioxide

producers

plants that make their own food

consumers

animals that get energy from the level below them. primary consumers eat producers, secondary consumers eat primary consumers, etc.

decomposers

organisms that decompose other dead organisms

food webs

charts that show how energy is passed along organisms. arrows point in the direction of energy flow

carrying capacity

the maximum amount of individuals that an ecosystem can support

population growth curves

charts that show how populations change and fluctuate over time