Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

ATP

ATP

adenosine triphosphate is a molecule made up of an adenine, ribose, and 3 phosphate groups

Heterotroph

organism that obtains energy from the foods it consumes; also called a consumer

Autotroph

An organism that makes its own food

leaf

The major sites of photosynthesis in most plants.

Stroma

fluid portion of the chloroplast; outside of the thylakoids

Photosynthesis

Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.

thylakoid membrane

membrane in a chloroplast where the light reactions of photosynthesis occur

Chlorophyll

Green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy used to carry out photosynthesis

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs

light-dependent reactions

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

Calvin Cycle

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

Fermentation

Process by which cells release energy in the absence of oxygen

Glycolysis

the breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid.

cellular respiration

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

Anaerobic

Process that does not require oxygen

electron transport chain

a series of proteins in which the high-energy electrons from the Krebs cycle are used to convert ADP into ATP

Aerobic

Process that requires oxygen

Krebs cycle

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

ADP (adenosine diphosphate)

low-energy molecule that can be converted to ATP

Light Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

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

guard cells

control the opening and closing of stomata

Reactant

a substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a reaction.

product

A substance produced in a chemical reaction

chemical reaction

the process by which one or more substances change to produce one or more different substances

glucose

C6H12O6

sunlight

main source of energy used by autotrophs

carbon dioxide

CO2

oxygen

one product of photosynthesis

mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP (energy) production

pigment

Light-absorbing molecule