Photosynthesis!

Mesophyll

The area of the leaf where chloroplasts are concentrated.

Stomata

Pores in the leaf in which carbon dioxide enters and oxygen leaves.

Guard Cells

Open and close the stomate.

Epidermis

The outermost tissue layer of the leaf; it also secretes the cuticle.

Cuticle

Layer of wax that prevents water loss.

Veins

Vascular tissue.

Xylem

Transports water from the roots to the leaves.

Phloem

Transports sugar from the leaves to the roots, shoots, and fruits.

Transpiration

A process of water movement within the xylem of a plant from the root, to the leaf and out the stoma.

Photosynthesis

A process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy or carbohydrates; it takes place in the chloroplasts.

Light Reaction

This stage occurs in the thylakoids of the chloroplast. Light is absorbed by plant pigments such as chlorophyll and carotenoids. Water is then broken down and oxygen is released. That converts light energy into chemical energy. ATP, NADPH, and oxygen are formed.

Chlorophyll

Main plant pigment that captures the light energy inside the thylakoids. This pigment gives plants their green color.

Calvin Cycle

It takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast. It uses ATP and NADPH formed from light reactions along with carbon dioxide from the air in order to form carbohydrates.

Cell Respiration

A chemical process that breaks down organic compounds such as carbohydrates in the presence of oxygen and uses the energy released from this process to form ATP.

Combustion

The burning of organic matter.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane which trap energy from the sun and prevent it from leaving the planet and therefore increase the temperature of the planet.

Greenhouse Effect

The rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane for example) trap energy from the sun.