Nutrition and Photosynthesis - Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering photosynthesis, chloroplast structure, nutrition modes, digestion, absorption, and related topics from the lecture notes.

Photosynthesis

Process by which green plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using light energy in chloroplasts.

Chloroplast

Organelles in plant cells that contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll

Green pigment that traps light energy in chloroplasts.

Grana

Stacks of thylakoids within chloroplasts; main site of the light reactions.

Thylakoid

Membrane-bound sacs inside chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions occur.

Stroma

Fluid-filled interior of chloroplasts where the dark (Calvin) reactions take place.

Light reactions

First phase of photosynthesis in the grana that converts light energy into ATP, NADPH, and oxygen.

Dark reactions

Second phase of photosynthesis in the stroma that fixes CO2 into sugars (e.g., glucose).

NADPH

Electron carrier produced during the light reactions used for carbon fixation.

ATP

Energy currency produced during the light reactions.

Oxygen

Gas released as a byproduct when water is split during the light reactions.

Carbon dioxide

Gas fixed into carbohydrates during photosynthesis.

Water

Reactant in photosynthesis; split in light reactions to release electrons and oxygen.

Sunlight

Energy source driving photosynthesis.

Autotrophic nutrition

Nutrition in which organisms make their own food from inorganic substances, typically CO2 and H2O using light energy.

Heterotrophic nutrition

Nutrition in which organisms obtain preformed organic nutrients from others.

Ingestion

Taking in of food through the mouth.

Digestion

Breakdown of complex food substances into simple molecules with enzymes.

Amylase (ptyalin)

Salivary enzyme that digests starch into simpler sugars.

Alimentary canal

Long tube from mouth to anus through which digestion occurs.

Absorption

Passage of digested nutrients from the gut into the bloodstream or lymph.

Defecation

Elimination of undigested material through the anus.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscle contractions that move food along the digestive tract.

Stomach

Organ where food is mixed with gastric juice (including acid) to form chyme.

Chyme

Semi-fluid mass of partly digested food in the stomach.

Sphincters

Muscular rings that regulate passage of food between digestive organs.

Bile

Digestive juice produced by the liver that emulsifies fats.

Lipase

Pancreatic enzyme that digests fats.

Trypsin

Pancreatic enzyme that digests proteins.

Villi

Finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Malnutrition

Condition caused by insufficient or unbalanced intake of nutrients.

Kwashiorkor

Protein-deficiency malnutrition with edema and other symptoms.

Marasmus

Protein and calorie deficiency causing severe wasting.

Obesity

Excess body weight due to high energy intake.

Water-soluble vitamins

Vitamins B-complex and C; dissolve in water and are not stored extensively.

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, K; dissolve in fat and are stored in body tissues.

Iodine test for starch

Iodine turns blue-black in the presence of starch, indicating starch in a sample.

Destarching

Process of removing starch from a leaf (often by dark treatment and methanol/heat).

Balanced equation for photosynthesis

Overall equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6 O2.