Lab 6: Photosynthesis

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to photosynthesis and the lab activity.

Photosynthesis

A process that uses light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds.

Light-dependent reactions

Reactions that require light to occur and involve the absorption of light energy to generate ATP and NADPH.

Chlorophyll a and b

Photosynthetic pigments that absorb light most efficiently in the violet/blue and red/orange wavelengths.

Electron transport chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons through a membrane, crucial for producing ATP in light-dependent reactions.

Hill Reaction

The reduction of an electron acceptor by electrons from water in the presence of light, resulting in the evolution of oxygen.

DPIP

Dye used as an artificial electron acceptor in photosynthesis experiments; it is blue when oxidized and colorless when reduced.

Photosystem I (PS I)

One of two photosystems in light-dependent reactions that absorbs light energy to excite electrons.

Photosystem II (PS II)

The other photosystem that uses light energy to generate ATP and NADPH and is the first to absorb light in photosynthesis.

NADPH

An energy-rich compound produced in light-dependent reactions, used in the Calvin cycle.

Absorbance readings

Measurements taken with a spectrophotometer to quantify the reduction of DPIP and assess photosynthetic rate.

3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU)

A photosynthesis inhibitor that blocks electron transport from photosystem II.