Biology- Chapter 9/10: Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration

ATP

(Adenosine Triphosphate), compound used by cells to store and release energy

Photosynthesis

process used by plants and other autotrophs to capture light energy and use it to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches

Chlorophyll

principal pigment of plants and other photosynthetic organisms

Granum (Grana - plural)

Stack(s) of thylakoids located in the stroma

Light Independent Reactions

Set of reactions in photosynthesis that do not require light; energy from ATP and NADPH is used to build high-energy compounds such as sugar; also called the Calvin Cycle

Light-dependent Reactions

set of reactions in photosynthesis that use energy from light to produce ATP and NADPH

NADP+

(Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate), carrier molecule that transfer high-energy electrons from chlorophyll to other molecules

Pigment

Light-absorbing molecule used by plants to gather the sun’s energy

Stroma

Fluid portion of the chloroplast; outside of the thylakoids

Thylakoid

Saclike photosynthetic membrane found in the chloroplasts

ATP Synthase

An enzyme for the synthesis of ATP; consists of a cluster of proteins that span the cell membrane and allow hydrogen ions to pass

Calvin cycle

Light independent reactions of photosynthesis in which energy from ATP and NADPH is used to build high-energy compounds such as sugar

CAM Plant

(Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plant that admits CO2 through stomata at night

C3 Plant

Specialized chemical pathway to form a three carbon compound

C4 Plant

specialized chemical pathway to form a four carbon compound

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

Series of electron carrier proteins that shuttle high-energy electrons during ATP-generating reactions

Photosystem

Cluster of chlorophyll and proteins found in the thylakoids

Calorie

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree Celsius

Cellular Respiration

A process that releases energy by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen

Aerobic

A process that requires oxygen

Anaerobic

A process that does not require oxygen

Glycolysis

The first set of reactions in cellular respiration in which a molecule of glucose is broken into two molecules of pyruvic acid

NAD+

Electron carrier involved in glycolysis

Krebs Cycle

The second stage of cellular respiration, in which pyruvic acid is broken down into carbon dioxide in a series of energy-extracting reactions

Matrix

The innermost compartment of the mitochondrion

Fermentation

The process by which cells release energy in the absence of oxygen