Photosynthesis Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to photosynthesis, including heterotrophs, autotrophs, light-dependent and light-independent reactions, photophosphorylation, chlorophyll, photosystems, photolysis, chemiosmosis and the Calvin Cycle.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that consume other organisms to obtain organic molecules

Autotrophs

Organisms that can produce their own organic molecules from inorganic molecules

Photoautotrophs

Autotrophs that use light energy to power the production of organic molecules

Light-Dependent Reactions

Reactions that use energy from sunlight to split water, producing oxygen gas, protons, and high-energy electrons

Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

Reactions that use ATP and NADPH, along with carbon dioxide, to produce sugars

Photophosphorylation

The process of using light energy to drive the production of ATP during the light-dependent reactions.

Chlorophyll

A light-absorbing pigment that captures the energy of photons from the sun.

Photosystem

A component composed of proteins, chlorophyll, and other light-absorbing pigments (accessory pigments).

Photolysis

The splitting of water molecules, which strips electrons from hydrogen atoms and produces protons, electrons, and oxygen gas.

Chemiosmosis

The process of using a proton gradient and ATP synthase to produce ATP.

Ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco)

The enzyme that adds one molecule of carbon dioxide to the five-carbon molecule ribulose-bisphosphate (RuBP).

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P)

A three-carbon molecule produced during the reduction phase of the Calvin cycle; can be used to make sugars.