Cell and Molecular Biology - Photosynthesis and Energy Flow

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to photosynthesis, energy forms, chloroplast functions, and associated processes in cell and molecular biology.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of motion; includes thermal, radiant, mechanical, and electrical forms.

Potential Energy

Stored energy, including energy in chemical bonds and concentration gradients.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Calvin Cycle

A series of redox reactions that fixes CO2 and produces sugars using ATP and NADPH.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in eukaryotic cells that transform light energy into chemical energy and fix carbon.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, driven by a proton gradient.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of complexes that transfer electrons, creating a proton gradient and generating ATP and NADPH.

Photophosphorylation

The process of generating ATP from ADP using the energy of light during photosynthesis.

NADPH

An electron carrier that provides reducing power for the biosynthesis of organic molecules.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment found in plants that captures light energy for photosynthesis.