Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Processes

What is photosynthesis?

A process that plants go through to make food.

What is the chemical formula for glucose produced in photosynthesis?

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 (Light is also added to this process).

What type of process is photosynthesis considered?

An anabolic process, making it endergonic.

How does water enter the plant?

Through osmosis.

How does CO2 enter the leaves of a plant?

Through stomata, which can also release oxygen into the air.

Where does photosynthesis occur in the plant?

In the chloroplast.

What are thylakoids and what is a stack of them called?

Thylakoids are membrane-bound structures inside chloroplasts; a stack of thylakoids is called grana.

What is the liquid inside the chloroplast called?

Stroma.

What are the two main processes of photosynthesis?

The light reactions (light-dependent) and the Calvin cycle (light-independent, occurs in the stroma).

What are photons?

Packets of energy that light waves travel in.

What is the role of pigments in photosynthesis?

They absorb certain wavelengths of light and use the energy for photosynthesis.

What is chlorophyll A?

The most abundant pigment in most plants.

What is the function of the light-harvesting complex (LHC)?

It surrounds one reaction center and transfers light energy to start the electron transport chain (ETC).

What happens during the electron transport chain?

Energy is released at each step, which is used to pump protons (H+) across the thylakoid membrane, creating a concentration gradient.

What is ATP synthase?

An enzyme located in the thylakoid membrane that synthesizes ATP.

What is the Calvin Cycle?

The dark reaction of photosynthesis that uses ATP and NADPH to make glucose from CO2.

What is carbon fixation?

The process of taking CO2 from the air and incorporating it into organic compounds.

What is glycolysis?

The first step in glucose catabolism where glucose is converted into two molecules of pyruvate.

Where does glycolysis occur?

In the cytoplasm.

What is the net yield of ATP from complete glucose breakdown?

32+ ATP.

What happens during fermentation?

It is the incomplete breakdown of glucose that allows continued glycolysis at 2 ATP when oxygen isn't present.

What are the electron carriers involved in cellular respiration?

NAD+/NADH and FAD2+/FADH2.

What are the three main steps of aerobic respiration?

Formation of acetyl CoA from pyruvate, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chain.

What is the Krebs cycle also known as?

The citric acid cycle.

What happens during the electron transport chain in aerobic respiration?

Electrons from NADH and FADH2 are transferred, establishing an H+ gradient used for ATP synthesis.

What is oxidative phosphorylation?

ATP synthesis powered by the oxidation of electron carriers (NADH, FADH2).

What is the purpose of cell division?

To make more cells for growth, replacement, wound healing, and reproduction.

What are the requirements for cell division?

A reproductive signal, DNA replication, segregation, and cytokinesis.

How do prokaryotes divide?

By binary fission.

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Mitosis produces two identical cells, while meiosis is used to create gametes (sex cells).

What happens during prophase of mitosis?

Chromosomes condense and become visible; centrosomes move to opposite ends of the cell.

What is apoptosis?

Organized cell suicide where the cell detaches and its DNA is cut up by enzymes.

What is necrosis?

Unplanned and unorganized cell death due to damage, resulting in the cell blowing up.