Biochemistry of Metabolism and Photosynthesis

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to biochemistry, metabolic processes, and photosynthesis as discussed in the lecture.

Glycolysis

A metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to extract energy.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the primary substance being carbon dioxide and water.

Metabolism

The chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life.

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant cells and eukaryotic algae that conducts photosynthesis.

Thylakoid

A membrane-bound structure within chloroplasts where light reactions of photosynthesis occur.

Stroma

The fluid-filled space surrounding the thylakoids in chloroplasts, where the Calvin cycle occurs.

Granum

A stack of thylakoids in a chloroplast.

ATP

A molecule that carries energy within cells.

NADPH

A reduced form of NADP+ that carries high-energy electrons.

Carbon Fixation

The process of converting inorganic carbon (CO2) into organic compounds by living organisms.

Dark Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

The set of reactions in photosynthesis that occur without light and convert CO2 into glucose.

Excitation of Electrons

The process where electrons absorb energy and move to a higher energy state.

Fluorescence

The emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation.

Carotenoids

Pigments found in plants that absorb light in the blue and green wavelengths.

Action Spectrum

A graph showing the rate of photosynthesis at different wavelengths of light.

Absorption Spectrum

A graph showing which wavelengths of light are absorbed by a pigment.

Light Harvesting Complex

A group of proteins and pigments that capture and funnel light energy to the reaction center in photosynthesis.