Untitled Flashcard Set

1. Key Vocabulary

These are all listed on the teacher's study guide.

2. Where Does Plant Mass Come From?

Scientists proposed three ideas:

1. Water

2. Soil

3. Air

Correct answer: Most of a plant's mass comes from carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the air, which is used to make glucose during photosynthesis.

3. Energy in Ecosystems

Living things use energy to:

• Survive

• Grow

• Develop

• Respond to stimuli

• Reproduce

The ultimate source of energy for nearly all ecosystems is:

☀ The Sun

Plants capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy.

4. ATP and ADP

ATP

• ATP = Adenosine Triphosphate

• Main energy source of cells

• Stores chemical energy

ADP

• ADP = Adenosine Diphosphate

• Lower-energy form

• Can become ATP when a phosphate group is added

ATP ↔ ADP Cycle

• ATP loses a phosphate → ADP + energy released

• ADP gains a phosphate → ATP + energy stored

ATP powers almost all cell activities.

5. Law of Conservation of Matter

Matter cannot be created or destroyed.

It only changes forms.

Example:

Carbon dioxide + water become glucose + oxygen during photosynthesis.

The atoms are rearranged, not created or destroyed.

6. What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is:

Organisms that perform photosynthesis

• Plants

• Algae

• Some bacteria

Photosynthesis equation

6CO2+6H2O+light energy→C6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{light energy} \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_26CO2​+6H2​O+light energy→C6​H12​O6​+6O2​

Inputs (Reactants)

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

• Water (H₂O)

• Sunlight

Outputs (Products)

• Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)

• Oxygen (O₂)

7. Light Energy and Pigments

Plants use visible light from the electromagnetic spectrum.

Remember:

ROYGBIV

• Red

• Orange

• Yellow

• Green

• Blue

• Indigo

• Violet

Chlorophyll

The main pigment in plants.

• Absorbs mostly red and violet light

• Reflects green light

That is why:

✅ Plants appear green.

Other Pigments

Chlorophyll a

• Most abundant

• Absorbs red and violet light

Chlorophyll b

• Absorbs blue light

Carotenoids

• Absorb blue-violet light

Xanthophylls

• Yellow, brown, and purple pigments.

8. Leaf Anatomy

Know these parts:

Stomata

• Tiny openings on leaves

• Allow gas exchange

• CO₂ enters

• O₂ exits

Guard Cells

• Open and close stomata

Upper Epidermis

• Protective top layer

Lower Epidermis

• Protective bottom layer

Veins (Vascular Tissue)

Transport materials:

Xylem

• Carries water

Phloem

• Carries sugar

The slideshow specifically shows stomata, epidermis, and vascular tissue.

9. Chloroplast Structure

Know these parts:

Outer Membrane

Protects chloroplast.

Stroma

• Fluid-filled space

• Calvin Cycle occurs here.

Thylakoid

• Flattened sacs

• Contain chlorophyll

• Light reactions occur here.

Grana

Stacks of thylakoids.

10. Stages of Photosynthesis

There are TWO stages:

Stage 1: Light-Dependent Reactions

Location:

Thylakoid membranes

Inputs

• Light

• Water

• ADP

• NADP+

Outputs

• Oxygen

• ATP

• NADPH

What happens?

1. Chlorophyll absorbs light.

2. Electrons become excited.

3. Electrons move through an Electron Transport Chain (ETC).

4. Water is split:

H2O→2H++2e−+12O2H_2O \rightarrow 2H^+ + 2e^- + \frac{1}{2}O_2H2​O→2H++2e−+21​O2​

5. Oxygen is released.

6. ATP is produced.

7. NADPH is produced.

Summary

• Light absorbed

• Water split

• Oxygen released

• ATP made

• NADPH made

Stage 2: Light-Independent Reactions

Also called:

Calvin Cycle

Location:

Stroma

Inputs

• CO₂

• ATP

• NADPH

Outputs

• Glucose

• ADP + P

• NADP+

What happens?

• Carbon dioxide is fixed.

• ATP provides energy.

• NADPH provides hydrogen and electrons.

• Sugars are produced.

ADP and NADP+ return to the light reactions to be recharged.

11. NADP+ vs NADPH (Honors)

NADP+

• Oxidized form

• Empty battery

• Low energy

NADPH

• Reduced form

• Charged battery

• Carries electrons and hydrogen

• High energy

NADPH transports energy from the light reactions to the Calvin Cycle.

12. Limiting Factors of Photosynthesis

Four things can slow photosynthesis:

1. Light intensity

2. Temperature

3. Carbon dioxide concentration

4. Oxygen concentration

If one factor is limited, photosynthesis slows down.

13. Cellular Respiration

What is it?

The process cells use to break down glucose and make ATP.

Who performs it?

• Plants

• Animals

• Fungi

• Protists

• Many bacteria

Almost all living things perform cellular respiration.

14. Where Does Cellular Respiration Occur?

Glycolysis

Occurs in:

Cytoplasm

Krebs Cycle

Occurs in:

Mitochondrial Matrix

Electron Transport Chain

Occurs in:

Inner membrane of mitochondria

15. Cellular Respiration Equation

C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O+ATPC_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + ATPC6​H12​O6​+6O2​→6CO2​+6H2​O+ATP

Reactants

• Glucose

• Oxygen

Products

• Carbon dioxide

• Water

• ATP

16. Three Stages of Cellular Respiration

1. Glycolysis

Location:

• Cytoplasm

What happens:

• Glucose splits into two pyruvate molecules.

• Small amount of ATP made.

2. Krebs Cycle

Location:

• Mitochondria

What happens:

• Breaks down pyruvate.

• Produces:

  • CO₂

  • NADH

  • FADH₂

  • Small amount of ATP

3. Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

Location:

• Inner mitochondrial membrane

What happens:

• Electrons move through proteins.

• Energy is used to pump hydrogen ions.

• ATP synthase makes ATP.

Most ATP is made here.

17. Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration

Fermentation

A type of anaerobic respiration.

Examples:

• Lactic acid fermentation → muscles

• Alcoholic fermentation → yeast

18. Photosynthesis and Respiration Relationship

These processes depend on each other.

Photosynthesis produces:

• Glucose

• Oxygen

These are used in:

➡ Cellular respiration

Cellular respiration produces:

• Carbon dioxide

• Water

These are used in:

➡ Photosynthesis

Together they cycle matter and energy through ecosystems.