AP Bio - Unit 3 Vocab

Cellular Energetics

Photosynthesis

The process where a plant, algae,  bacteria or other organism uses chlorophyll and other pigments to make sugar (glucose) using sunlight as a source of energy.

Carbon Dioxide

CO2-The atmospheric gas that a photosynthetic organism uses as a source of carbon to make glucose.

Oxygen

  O2-A waste product produced during the splitting of water (photolysis) during the light reaction.

NADPH

 A co-enzyme that is used by the plant to transfer energy from the light reaction to the light-independent reaction.

ATP

The energy-carrying molecule that is used by living organisms as a source of energy.

Light Reaction

The first part of photosynthesis that is uses light energy to produce NADPH and ATP.  These will carry energy to the light-independent reaction. 

Calvin Cycle (Light-Independent Reaction)

The 2nd part of photosynthesis where a plant brings in carbon dioxide and uses it to form glucose using NADPH and ATP as a source of energy.

Electron Transport

The process where electrons flow along a membrane and provide energy to pump hydrogens across the membrane.

Photosystem 2

The first site of light absorption.  It is here that the chloroplast splits water to form protons (H+), electrons and oxygen gas.

Photosystem 1

The 2^nd site of light absorption that uses light energy to enhance electron flow to produce NADPH.

ATP-Synthase

The integral membrane protein that is used by the chloroplast to produce ATP using the flow of  hydrogen ions/protons as an energy source.

Photon

A specific amount of light.  the smallest possible packet of light at a given wavelength

Light Spectrum

The broad range of colors of light and those that are beyond the capability of our vision, such as x-rays and microwaves.

Chloroplast

The organelle in a plant cell that is used to produce sugar (glucose) from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide; plastid containing chlorophyll and other pigments

Stromata

The opening in a plants leaf that is used for gas exchange.

Accessory Pigments

pigments that absorb colors of light beyond those of chlorophyll A and then transfer this energy to chlorophyll A.

Chlorophyll A

The main photosynthetic pigment of photosynthesis.  GREEN

Chlorophyll B

An accessory pigment used in photosynthesis.  Also Green

Beta-Carotenes

An accessory pigment found in plants.  Orange

Xanthophyll

An accessory pigment found in plants.  Yellow

Glucose

A sugar that  is produced during photosynthesis Glucose:  A sugar that  is produced during photosynthesis

Carbon Fixation

The  process where a photosynthetic organism gets carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere and puts them together to form a sugar.

Cellular Respiration

the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs

Pyruvic Acid/Pyruvate

a colorless acid formed as an important intermediate in metabolism or fermentation

NAD

a coenzyme present in most living cells and derived from the B vitamin nicotinic acid; serves as a reductant in various metabolic processes

Anaerobic

living or active in the absence of free oxygen

Aerobic

depending on free oxygen or air

Glycolysis

a metabolic process that breaks down carbohydrates and sugars through a series of reactions to either pyruvic acid or lactic acid and releases energy for the body in the form of ATP

Fermentation

breaking down an organic substance, as sugar into alcohol, without oxygen

Krebs Cycle

in all plants and animals, a series of enzymatic reactions in mitochondria involving oxidative metabolism of acetyl compounds to produce high-energy phosphate compounds that are the source of cellular energy

Citric Acid

a weak water-soluble acid found in many fruits

Enzyme

a complex protein produced by cells that acts as a catalyst

Exergonic

of a process accompanied by the release of energy

Endergonic

of a process accompanied by or requiring the absorption of energy; the products of the process are of greater free energy than the reactants

Citric Acid Cycle

 in all plants and animals, a series of enzymatic reactions in mitochondria of involving oxidative metabolism of acetyl compounds to produce high-energy phosphate compounds that are the source of cellular energy

Fermentation Alcohol

the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors

Mitochondrion

an organelle containing enzymes responsible for producing energy

Matrix

the body substance in which tissue cells are embedded

Light-Dependent Reaction

the first stage of photosynthesis during which energy from light is used for the production of ATP

Autotroph

an organism capable of synthesizing its own food

Heterotroph

an organism that feeds on complex organic substance