C1.4 ecological niches

Photosynthesis

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

Chlorophyll

The green pigment found in plants that is crucial for photosynthesis, as it absorbs light energy.

Photophosphorylation

The process of generating ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using light energy during photosynthesis.

Calvin cycle

The light-independent reactions of photosynthesis that convert carbon dioxide into glucose using ATP and NADPH.

Thylakoid

A membrane-bound compartment inside chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place.

Electron transport chain

A series of protein complexes in the thylakoid membrane that transfer electrons and pump protons to generate ATP.

Carbon fixation

The process of converting inorganic carbon dioxide into organic compounds during photosynthesis.

Rubisco

An enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the Calvin cycle, fixing carbon dioxide to ribulose bisphosphate.

Photolysis

The process in which light energy is used to split water molecules into oxygen, protons, and electrons.

NADPH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; an electron carrier that provides reducing power for the Calvin cycle.

ATP synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP during chemiosmosis by allowing protons to flow back into the stroma.

Wavelength

The distance between successive peaks of a wave, often related to the energy of light absorbed by pigments.

Chloroplast

An organelle in plant cells that conducts photosynthesis.

Light-dependent reactions

Reactions that convert light energy into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH) during photosynthesis.

Light-independent reactions

The reactions of photosynthesis, such as the Calvin cycle, that do not require light energy directly.

Photoprotection

The mechanisms by which plants protect themselves from the damaging effects of excess light.

Pigments

Organic molecules that absorb specific wavelengths of light and are involved in photosynthesis.

Grana

Stacks of thylakoids in chloroplasts where light-dependent reactions take place.

Stroma

The fluid-filled space in chloroplasts where the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis occur.

Carbon dioxide (D2)

A key substance used in the process of photosynthesis to produce glucose.

Hydrogen atoms

Atoms obtained from water that are used in the synthesis of glucose during photosynthesis.

Oxygen by-product

Oxygen gas produced during the splitting of water in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

Retention factor (Rf)

A value that represents the distance traveled by a pigment divided by the distance traveled by the solvent front in chromatography.

Cyclic photophosphorylation

A process in which electrons from Photosystem I flow back through the electron transport chain to generate ATP without producing NADPH.

Noncyclic photophosphorylation

A process that uses electrons from water, producing ATP and NADPH as well as oxygen.

Glucose

A six-carbon sugar formed during photosynthesis and used as an energy source by living organisms.

Sucrose

A disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose, used for energy transport in plants.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that serves as a structural component in plant cell walls, formed from glucose.

Photosystem I (PSI)

One of the two photosystems in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy and is involved in ATP and NADPH production.

Photosystem II (PSII)

The photosystem that absorbs light energy and is involved in the photolysis of water and electron transport.

Feldspar

A common mineral that contains nutrients important for plant growth.

Photosynthesis equation

The equation representing photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Ferredoxin

A protein that transfers electrons from photosystem I to NADP+ in noncyclic photophosphorylation.

Carotenoids

Accessory pigments that assist with photosynthesis by expanding the range of light absorption and protecting against damage.

Xanthophylls

Yellow pigments involved in photosynthesis found in the thylakoid membranes.

Phosphate group

A functional group consisting of a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms, crucial in forming ATP.

Starch

A polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of energy in plants.

Turnover

The process in which the time duration for the shade of green fades in a plant, important for assessing photosynthesis.

Photoreceptors

Molecules that absorb light energy; involved in the processes controlling photosynthesis.

Stomata

Small openings on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange (CO2 in, O2 out).

Ozone

A gas that filters harmful ultraviolet radiation, indirectly affecting photosynthesis rates.

Alternative energy source

Any energy source other than fossil fuels or traditional means utilized to promote plant growth.

Enzyme regulation

The process that controls the rate of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, affecting photosynthesis efficiency.

Anabolic pathway

A metabolic pathway that constructs molecules from smaller units; essential in synthesizing glucose.

Metabolic rate

The rate of energy production in an organism, which can be influenced by photosynthesis.

Biomass accumulation

The process where organic matter is produced and stored, critical for assessing photosynthesis efficiency.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of protons across a membrane to generate ATP through ATP synthase.

Energy transfer

The process of converting light energy into chemical energy during photosynthesis.

RuBP carboxylation

The reaction in which carbon dioxide is added to ribulose bisphosphate in the Calvin cycle.

RuBP regeneration

The process by which ribulose bisphosphate is recreated in the Calvin cycle to allow continuous carbon fixation.

Lumen

The inner space of thylakoids in chloroplasts, critical for ATP formation during photosynthesis.

Secondary metabolites

Organic compounds produced by plants that are not directly involved in growth; play roles in defense and survival.

Plant hormones

Chemical signals that regulate various aspects of plant growth and development, often influenced by photosynthesis.

Nutrient cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Limiting factor

Any environmental condition that restricts the rate of photosynthesis, such as light, CO2, or temperature.

Species competition

The interaction between species that compete for the same resources, affecting plant growth and photosynthesis.

Thermal energy

Energy that comes from the internal motion of molecules, which can influence photosynthetic rates.

Biological indicator

An organism or species whose status reflects the health of an ecosystem, including influences from photosynthesis.

Photosynthetic efficiency

The measure of how well plants convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

Greenhouse gas

Gases like CO2 that contribute to the greenhouse effect, influencing overall plant growth and photosynthesis.

Transpiration

The process by which water vapor is released from plant leaves, affecting water and nutrient uptake.

Nutrient absorption

The process of uptake of minerals and nutrients from the soil, which supports photosynthesis and growth.

Ecosystem productivity

The rate of generation of biomass in an ecosystem, directly linked to photosynthetic activity.

Soil fertility

A measure of how well the soil can support plant growth, particularly related to nutrient availability.

Plant adaptation

Changes in plant physiology or morphology that enhance survival and photosynthesis in varying environments.

Carbon cycle

The series of processes by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Photon flux

The amount of light energy received per unit area over a time period, relevant for photosynthesis.

Light saturation point

The light intensity at which the rate of photosynthesis cannot increase despite additional light.

Biochemical pathway

A series of steps by which chemical reactions convert substrates into products, crucial for processes like the Calvin cycle.

Lipid synthesis

The production of lipids in plants that may be derived from carbohydrate products of photosynthesis.

Energetic efficiency

The effectiveness of energy transformation during photosynthesis, influencing biomass production.

Plant breeding

The science of improving crop plants for better yield and quality, often emphasizing photosynthetic traits.

Climate change

Long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns affecting plant growth rates and photosynthesis.

Food security

The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, closely linked to agricultural photosynthesis.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from male anthers to female stigma that is essential for reproduction in flowering plants.

Photosynthesis rate

The speed at which a plant converts light energy into chemical energy, typically measured by oxygen output.

Biomolecule

Any molecule essential to the biology of life, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Ecosystem services

Benefits provided by ecosystems, including those linked to photosynthesis, such as food production.

Amino acids

The building blocks of proteins, which can be synthesized by plants using products from photosynthesis.

Plant physiology

The study of plant function including growth, reproduction, and metabolic processes such as photosynthesis.

Ecological balance

A state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms, influenced by rates of photosynthesis.

Plant biotechnology

The use of technology on plants to modify their characteristics, enhancing photosynthetic productivity.

Nutrients

Substances that provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of life, impacting photosynthesis.

Soil composition

The makeup of soil, including mineral content, which can affect nutrient availability and photosynthesis.

Bioremediation

The use of living organisms to remove or neutralize contaminants from the environment, potentially linked to plant processes.

Sustainable agriculture

Farming practices that maintain the health of the soil and ecosystem, ensuring efficient photosynthesis.

Plant responses

Changes that occur in plants due to environmental stimuli, often involving photosynthetic adjustments.

Photosynthetic capacity

The maximum rate of photosynthesis that a given plant or crop species can achieve under optimal conditions.

Diversity in ecosystems

The variety of species and genetic variability within ecosystems that can influence overall photosynthesis and productivity.