photosynthesis

. _ __ __ and __ __ __ __ __ are made during the _ __ __ __ __ dependent reactions and carry energy and high energy electrons that are used during the Calvin cycle to produce __ __ __ __ __ __, like glucose.

. ATP; NADPH; LIGHT; SUGARS

Write the chemical equation for the overall process of photosynthesis. Then explain what the equation means and identify the reactants, products, and the meaning of the arrows.

6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 This equation is telling us that the reactants (or ingredients) that are necessary for photosynthesis to occur are 6 molecules of carbon dioxide and 6 molecules of water. Normally you would write "light" over the arrow, but I can't do it on the computer. The arrow indicates that if you "mix" these things together with the light then two things are made: one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen gas. The glucose and oxygen are the products or results of the reaction.

. The movement of H+ ions from the thylakoid space, across the membrane, and into the stroma causes ___ __ _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ to spin and produce ATP.

ATP SYNTHASE

Organisms, like green plants, that can make their own food using energy from the sun are called __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

AUTOTROPHS

The light independent reactions are also called the _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

CALVIN CYCLE

Carbon and oxygen from __ __ __ __ __ __ _ __ __ __ __ __ __ end up as part of a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ molecule following the Calvin cycle.

CARBON DIOXIDE; GLUCOSE

The prefix chloro- means "green," and the suffix -phyll means "leaf." How are these meanings related to chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in plants. It is in abundance in the leaves of plants. These leaves are broad and flat—a perfect shape to capture light energy from the sun.

What is chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is a pigment found in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy. The chlorophyll has the unique ability to energize an electron that is then used to create a molecule called NADPH.

The prefix photo- means "light," and synthesis means "to put together." How do those meanings tell you what happens during photosynthesis?

During photosynthesis plants use light energy to create high energy electrons. These electrons are necessary to create energy carrying molecules like NADPH. The NADPH is essential for helping to bond carbons together to made glucose. So, the light is necessary to put together molecules of glucose.

. Electrons are transferred along the membrane during the light dependent reactions using the __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .

ELECTRON TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Proteins in living things that help chemical reactions happen are called __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .

ENZYMES

The O in H2O is given off as__ __ __ __ __ __ gas to the atmosphere when water is split during the light dependent reactions.

OXYGEN

. The gel-filled space inside the chloroplast surrounding the thylakoid stacks is called the __ __ __ __ __ __.

STROMA

_ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ , amount of __ __ __ __ __ , and ___ __ __ __ intensity are all factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis.

TEMPERATURE, WATER, LIGHT

The enzymes for the light dependent reactions are found in the __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ , while the Calvin cycle happens in the __ __ __ __ __ __.

THYLAKOID MEMBRANE; STROMA

During the light dependent reactions, H+ ions build up in the __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ space when __ __ __ __ __ molecules are split.

THYLAKOID; WATER

What are the differences between the light-dependent reactions (light reactions) and the light-independent reactions (dark reactions)?

The light dependent reactions are the energy harvesting reactions. They do nothing to create glucose directly. Their importance is more indirect. Without the light reactions required energy is not present to manipulate chemical bonds in molecules found during the light-independent reactions to create glucose. In contrast, during the light-independent reactions, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere gets transformed into a sugar called glucose. This process requires the energy carrier molecules from the light reactions, ATP and NADPH, to release their energy to allow manipulation of the chemical bonds to take place.

The prefix in- means "not." How does this meaning tell you which reactions in photosynthesis require light, and which reactions do not?

The light-INdependent reactions do not need any input of light energy to take place. These reactions can, and often do, take place in the dark. While the "success" of these reactions does depend on light to energize electrons that are used to make NADPH, they are not a direct result of light striking the plant.

In what two parts of a chloroplast does photosynthesis take place?

The light-dependent reactions take place on the thylakoid membranes (the light is absorbed by the chlorophyll that is embedded in these membranes). The light-independent reactions (also called the Calvin Cycle or the dark reactions) take place in the stroma. The stroma is the fluid that fills the chloroplast.

What does the word cycle tell you about the chemical reactions of the Calvin cycle?

The word "cycle" helps to show that some of these chemical reactions will occur over and over again like carbon dioxide bonding to RuBP. And while glucose is an end product that is created and leaves the chloroplast to go to other parts of the plant, some of the molecules are recycled in this process and used again and again.

Chlorophyll a and b absorb __ __ __ __-__ __ __ __ __ __ and __ __ __ wavelengths of light best.

blue-violet: red

. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is the main light absorbing pigment found in green plants.

chlorophyll

Molecules that collect light energy are called __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

pigment

Plants "look" green because chlorophyll __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ green light.

reflects