Photosynthesis and Dark Reactions

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to the process of photosynthesis, including dark reactions and alternative pathways such as C4 and CAM.

RuBisCO

Ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, the key enzyme in the Calvin-Benson cycle.

Dark Reactions

Also known as the Calvin cycle; these are the stages of photosynthesis that do not require light, where carbon dioxide is fixed into sugars.

Photorespiration

A process in which RuBisCO acts on oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, leading to a loss of energy and carbon.

C4 Photosynthesis

A photosynthetic pathway that fixes carbon dioxide into a 4-carbon compound before it enters the Calvin cycle.

Carboxysomes

Protein structures in cyanobacteria that concentrate CO2 around RuBisCO to improve photosynthetic efficiency.

Pyrenoids

Membrane-bound structures in some algae where CO2 is concentrated around RuBisCO.

CAM Photosynthesis

Crassulacean acid metabolism, a photosynthetic adaptation where CO2 is fixed at night and used during the day.

Calvin-Benson Cycle

The series of biochemical reactions that take place in the stroma of chloroplasts during photosynthesis.

OAA

Oxaloacetate, a 4-carbon compound formed during C4 photosynthesis.

3-Phosphoglycerate (PGA)

The 3-carbon molecule produced from the reaction of RuBisCO acting on ribulose bisphosphate.