Photosynthesis

What happens during light-independent reactions?

ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions are used to produce high-energy sugars

light-independent reactions

ATP and NADPH molecules produced in the light-dependent reactions are used to produce high-energy sugars from carbon dioxide.

Why is ATP useful to cells?

ATP can easily release and store energy by breaking and re-forming the bonds between its phosphate groups. This characteristic of ATP makes it exceptionally useful as a basic energy source for all cells.

What happens during the process of photosynthesis?

In the process of photosynthesis, plants convert the energy of sunlight into chemical energy stored in the bonds of carbohydrates.

ATP

One of the most important compounds that cells use to store and release energy

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain food by consuming other living things

What are the reactants and products of photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis uses the energy of sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide (reactants) into high-energy sugars and oxygen (products).

What role do pigments play in the process of photosynthesis?

Photosynthetic organisms capture energy from sunlight with pigments

Photosynthesis

The process by which Autotrophs use the energy of sunlight to produce high-energy carbohydrates--sugars and starches--that can be used as food

What are electron carrier molecules?

a compound that can accept a pair of high-energy electrons and transfer them, along with most of their energy, to another molecule

Electron transport chain

a series of electron carrier proteins that shuttle high energy electrons during ATP generating reactions

NADP+

accepts and holds 2 high-energy electron along with a hydrogen positive ion

photosystems

clusters of chlorophyll and proteins

stroma

fluid portion of the chloroplast

Pigments

light-absorbing molecules

Calvin Cycle

plants use the energy that ATP and NADPH contain to build stable high-energy carbohydrate compounds that can be stored for a long time

thylakoids

sac-like photosynthetic substances

ATP Synthase

spans the membrane and allows H+ ions to pass through it

What factors affect photosynthesis?

temperature, light intensity and availability of water are the important factors that affect photosynthesis

chlorophyll

the plants' principle pigment

light-dependent reactions

they require the direct involvement of light and light-absorbing pigments

What happens during light-dependent reactions?

uses energy from sunlight to produce oxygen and convert ADP and NADP+ into the energy carriers ATP and NADPH