Basic Concepts
This process uses light energy to make sugars from CO₂ and H₂O.
What is photosynthesis?
The organelle where photosynthesis occurs.
What is the chloroplast?
Molecules that absorb light energy.
What are pigments?
Reactions that occur in the thylakoid membrane and need light.
What are light-dependent reactions?
The buildup of H⁺ ions across the thylakoid membrane.
What is a proton gradient?
An organism that can perform photosynthesis.
What is a photosynthetic organism?
The fluid-filled area where the Calvin cycle occurs.
What is the stroma?
The main photosynthetic pigment.
What is chlorophyll?
The chlorophyll molecule where excited electrons leave the photosystem.
What is the reaction center?
The enzyme that makes ATP using the proton gradient.
What is ATP synthase?
The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis.
What is 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂?
The membrane sacs where light-dependent reactions occur.
What are thylakoids?
Pigments that absorb extra wavelengths and help chlorophyll.
What are accessory pigments?
Diagram showing electron energy changes through both photosystems.
What is the Z-scheme?
An electron pathway that produces ATP only.
What is cyclic electron transport?
A reaction involving the transfer of electrons.
What is a redox reaction?
A stack of thylakoids.
What is a granum?
The process of capturing light energy by pigments.
What is light absorption?
The first photosystem that splits water.
What is Photosystem II?
An electron carrier that provides reducing power.
What is NADPH?
Loss of electrons during a chemical reaction.
What is oxidation?
The space inside the thylakoid where protons build up.
What is the lumen?
Groups of pigments that capture light energy.
What are photosystems?
The photosystem that produces NADPH.
What is Photosystem I?
Proteins that speed up chemical reactions.
What are enzymes?