Untitled Flashcards Set

Light-Dependent Reactions

Convert light energy into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH) in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.

Photoionisation of Chlorophyll

Process where light hits Photosystem II, exciting electrons which leaves the chlorophyll oxidized.

Photolysis of Water

Splitting of water molecules to replace electrons lost by Photosystem II, producing oxygen and protons.

Electron Transport Chain

Process where excited electrons move from Photosystem II to Photosystem I, creating a proton gradient.

Chemiosmosis

Movement of protons through ATP synthase to phosphorylate ADP to ATP.

Reduction of NADP⁺

Process where NADP⁺ is reduced to NADPH using excited electrons and protons.

Calvin Cycle

Light-Independent Reactions located in the stroma of chloroplasts that use ATP and NADPH to fix carbon dioxide.

Carbon Fixation

Process where CO₂ combines with RuBP to form glycerate-3-phosphate (GP), catalysed by Rubisco.

Reduction of GP

Conversion of GP to triose phosphate (TP) using ATP and NADPH.

Regeneration of RuBP

Process where 5 out of every 6 TP molecules regenerate RuBP using ATP.

Nitrogen Fixation

Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia (NH₃) by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Ammonification

Process where saprobionts decompose organic nitrogen to produce ammonium in the soil.

Nitrification

Conversion of ammonium to nitrite and then to nitrate by aerobic bacteria.

Assimilation

Process where plants use nitrates to make amino acids, which are then consumed by animals.

Denitrification

Conversion of nitrates back to nitrogen gas (N₂) by anaerobic bacteria.