Photo Own notes

Photosynthesis

The process that nourishes almost the entire living world, transforming light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.

Endergonic Process

A type of reaction that requires energy input

Photosynthesis Formula

6 CO2 + H2O + Light Energy produces C6H12O6 + 6 O2.

Chloroplast

A membrane-bound organelle where photosynthesis takes place in eukaryotic cells.

Redox Reaction

A process in which water is oxidized and carbon dioxide is reduced during photosynthesis.

NADPH

An electron carrier made in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, used in the Calvin cycle.

Calvin Cycle

The light-independent reactions of photosynthesis that convert CO2 into glucose, requiring ATP and NADPH.

Stomata

Microscopic pores on the leaf surface that allow gas exchange, taking in CO2 and releasing O2.

Thylakoids

Membrane-bound structures in chloroplasts where light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.

Light-dependent reactions

Reactions that capture sunlight and convert it into ATP and NADPH.

ATP Synthase

The protein responsible for synthesizing ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate during photosynthesis.

Photon

A particle of light energy that drives the process of photosynthesis.

G3P (Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate)

A 3-carbon sugar produced in the Calvin cycle that can be converted into glucose and other organic compounds.

Rubisco

The enzyme that catalyzes the fixation of carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle.

Energy Coupling

The process where an exergonic reaction drives an endergonic reaction, like the relationship between light-dependent and light-independent reactions.

Producers

Organisms like plants that produce organic molecules from inorganic ones using sunlight; also known as autotrophs.

Consumers

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on producers for organic molecules and energy; also known as heterotrophs.

Saprobes

Organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, that decompose dead organic material and release nutrients back into the environment.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Energy emitted in the form of waves, including sunlight, that can drive photosynthesis.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases such as CO2 that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Endergonic Process

A process that absorbs energy; the energy boost is provided by light.

Redox Reaction

A chemical reaction in which the oxidation state of one or more components changes; photosynthesis involves oxidation of H2O and reduction of CO2.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors, creating ATP and NADPH in photosynthesis.

Chloroplast

A membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells where photosynthesis occurs.

Thylakoids

Flat membrane-bound sacs inside chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.

Grana

Stacks of thylakoids in chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions occur.

Stroma

The fluid matrix inside chloroplasts surrounding the thylakoids; site of the Calvin cycle.

Calvin Cycle

The series of chemical reactions during photosynthesis that converts carbon dioxide and other compounds into glucose.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate during photosynthesis.

G3P (Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate)

A three-carbon sugar produced during the Calvin cycle that can be used to form glucose and other carbohydrates.

Photons

Elementary particles of light that carry energy.

Chlorophyll A

The main pigment in plants that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll B

An accessory pigment that assists chlorophyll A by capturing additional light energy.

Carotenoids

Accessory pigments that absorb light energy and reflect orange and yellow colors.

Producers

Organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis, e.g., plants.

Consumers

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on other organisms for nutrition.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients back into the environment.

Saprobes

Organisms that feed on decomposing organic material.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases such as CO2 that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change.

Energy Coupling

The process in which energy released from exergonic reactions drives endergonic reactions.

Rubisco

An enzyme involved in the Calvin cycle that catalyzes the fixation of carbon dioxide to RuBP.

Stomata

Microscopic pores on leaf surfaces that facilitate gas exchange.

Light-Dependent Reactions

Reactions in photosynthesis that use sunlight to produce ATP and NADPH.

Light-Independent Reactions

Reactions in photosynthesis (Calvin Cycle) that do not require light but use ATP and NADPH to synthesize glucose.