Thylakoid
A flattened membrane sac inside the chloroplast, used to convert light energy into chemical energy.
Granum
A stack of thylakoids in a chloroplast
Stroma
fluid portion of the chloroplast; outside of the thylakoids
NADP+
carrier molecule that transfers high-energy electrons from chlorophyll to other molecules
Calvin Cycle
the second phase of photosynthesis in which takes place in the stroma and stores energy in the form of glucose.
Rubisco
enzyme that converts inorganic carbon dioxide molecules into organic molecules during the final step of the Calvin cycle
Reactants of Photosynthesis
carbon dioxide and water
Products of Photosynthesis
glucose and oxygen
Photosystem II
One of two light-harvesting units of a chloroplast's thylakoid membrane; it is used first in the process of the light dependent reactions.
Electron Transport Chain
A sequence of electron carrier molecules (membrane proteins) that shuttle electrons between photosystem II and photosystem I
Photosystem I
One of two light-harvesting units of a chloroplast's thylakoid membrane; it is used last in the process of the light dependent reactions.
ATP Synthase
Large protein that uses energy from H+ ions to bind ADP and a phosphate group together to produce ATP
The Light Dependent Reactions
reactions of photosynthesis that use energy from light to produce ATP and NADPH in the thylakoid.
C4 Plants
These plants keep their stomata closed during the day and use a 4 carbon molecule instead of a 3 carbon molecule during the Calvin cycle. This helps plants conserve water loss while still performing photosynthesis.
CAM Plants
These plants live in deserts and other locations where water is limited. They only open their stomata at night where they fix carbon into organic molecules, they then use those carbon molecules to do photosynthesis during the day. This process is known as crassulacean acid metabolism.
Pigments
light absorbing molecules. The primary ones in plants are chlorophylls
Stomata
Small openings on the underside of a leaf through which oxygen and carbon dioxide can move
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