Chapter 6: Photosynthesis
Primary Electron Acceptor
Accepts the electrons that the chlorophyll A molecules have lost in the reduction reaction in photosystem 2.
ADP
Adenosine diphosphate. Energy in which lacks the third phosphate
Accessory Pigment
Assists in capturing light energy. (Chlorophyll B and carotenoids). Enables plants in getting more energy by absorbing more light.
Calvin Cycle
Biochemical pathway that is the second step of photosynthesis. Produces organic compounds using the energy stored in ATP and NADPH during light reactions. Named after Melvin Calvin.
Photosystem
Cluster of pigment molecules
RuBP
Combination of CO2 and an enzyme to make this five carbon molecule in the Calvin Cycle first step.
Pigment
Compound which absorbs light. Absorbing colors subtracts them from the visible spectrum
ATP Synthase
Creates ATP by adding a phosphate group to ADP.
Photosynthesis
Creation of energy from light
Photosystem 2
First photosystem in the light reaction, electrons move into chlorophyll A and become "excited" then move to the primary electron acceptor. After they are moved across the ETC
Electron Transport Chain
First series of molecules in thylakoid membrane. Transfers electrons from one molecule to the next and the electrons lose their energy. This energy is used to move protons in the thylakoid. The ETC after photosystem 1 brings electrons to the edge of the thylakoid (by the stroma) and combine with NADP+ to make NADPH.
Carbon Fixation
Incorporation of carbon dioxide into organic compounds.
Light Reactions
Initial reaction of photosynthesis. Begins with absorption of light into the chloroplast. That light is absorbed by pigments and transferred to the thylakoid to continue the light reaction.
Photosystem 1
Light is also absorbed in here, where they move from another pair of chlorophyll A molecules to the primary electron acceptor. Electrons lost from chlorophyll A are replaced by the electrons from the ETC
Wavelength
Light waves, way of measuring light. 400 nm to 70o nm, violet to red.
NADP+
Organic molecule that accepts electrons during redox reactions. "Dump truck".
PGAL
Produced in step 2 of the Calvin Cycle. Each PGA molecule receives a phosphate from ATP. It then receives a proton from NADPH and releases a phosphate group.
Visible Spectrum
Ranging colors from red to violet, these are the colors we see from light
Chemiosmosis
Relies on concentration gradient of proteins across the thylakoid membrane. The movement of protons into the stroma of the chloroplast releases energy, which is used to manufacture ATP.
Biochemical Pathway
Series of reactions in which the product of one reaction is consumed in the next reaction.
Stromata
Small pores in the under surface of a leave where water escapes and CO2 enters and O2 leaves.
Stroma
Solution surrounding the thylakoids
PGA
Split half of RuBP in the Calvin Cycle 1st step
Granum
Stack of thylakoids
Chlorophyll
Type of pigment. Chlorophylls mostly reflect green colors because they are not absorbed. Chlorophyll A is directly involved in light reactions, while Chlorophyll B assists in capturing light energy.
Carotenoid
Yellow, orange, and brown accessory pigments