Basics
The process by which plants and algae use light energy and CO2 to make carbohydrates
What is photosynthesis?
What are the discs in the chloroplast that are the site of the light reactions called?
Thylakoids
Which photosystem is the first step in photosynthesis?
Photosystem II
The ATP and NADPH generated during the light reactions are used during what process?
The Calvin Cycle
What environmental factors can affect the Calvin Cycle?
Temperature
Water availability
Light intensity
In a tree that grows to a massive size, where does the carbon that makes up it's structure come from?
Atmospheric CO2
The thylakoid membranes contain these 2 distinct complexes of proteins and pigment molecules
What are photosystem I and photosystem II?
In the light reactions, Photosystems II and I Work Together to Produce ___ and _____ via ______ Electron Flow
ATP, NADPH, Linear
The Calvin Cycle is also called:
Carbon Reactions
Dark Reactions
This process in plants wastes energy and occurs when C3 plants are exposed to hot and dry conditions.
What is photorespiration?
Light travels in particles called _____
photons
The only known protein that can oxidize H2O, releasing O2
What is Photosystem II?
What is the role of PS I in linear electron flow?
Make NADPH
What is the immediate product of the Calvin Cycle?
glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P)
~90% of plants are C3 plants because:
They initially fix carbon into a 3-carbon molecule (3PG)
What is special about pigment molecules?
They can absorb photons and excite an electron in the process
What is the fluid matrix in the chloroplast called?
The stroma
What is the purpose of cyclic electron flow?
To produce additional ATP because linear flow makes NADPH and ATP in equal amounts and the calvin cycle needs more ATP.
What are the 3 phases of the Calvin Cycle?
1. Carbon Fixation
2. Reduction/carbohydrate production
3. Regeneration of RuBP
Plants that always have their stomata open and do the Calvin Cycle in bundle sheath cells are called __ plants.
C4
What is the general equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 12H2O + Light energy -> C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O
What are stacks of thylakoids called?
Granum
Water is oxidized at PS I during the light reactions. What is significant about the products (O2 and H+ ions)?
O2 is important so that aerobic organisms can survive and H+ in the thylakoid lumen creates a gradient that can be used for ATP synthesis.
What enzyme fixes carbon from CO2 into an organic molecule?
rubisco
Plants that open their stomata at night and do the Calvin Cycle during the day are called __ plants.
CAM