General Photosynthesis
What is the general equation for photosynthesis?
6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
This is the location where light reactions occur.
The thylakoid membrane
What are the THREE inputs required for the Calvin Cycle to function?
CO₂, ATP, and NADPH
Where does Oxidative Phosphorylation happen in the cell?
Inner membrane of Mitochondria
What is the exact location where the Calvin Cycle (dark reactions) occurs?
The stroma of the chloroplast
What green pigment is essential for capturing light energy during photosynthesis?
Chlorophyll
These are the TWO main inputs required for light reactions to begin?
Light (photons) and water (H₂O)
What 5-carbon molecule is the CO₂ acceptor in the Calvin Cycle?
RuBP
What is the total NET ATP produced from ONE glucose molecule during cellular respiration?
About 32 ATP
What are the names of the three phases of Glycolysis and what does each stage do?
Phase 1: Preparatory Phase
Phase 2: Cleavage Phase
Phase 3: Payoff phase
What wavelengths of light are MOST absorbed by chlorophyll for photosynthesis?
Blue and red light (Chlorophyll reflects green)
Name the TWO main outputs produced by light reactions.
ATP and NADPH? (Oxygen is also accepted as a byproduct)
What enzyme catalyzes the first step of carbon fixation and is considered the most abundant enzyme on Earth?
RuBisCO
Name the FOUR main stages of cellular respiration in order.
Glycolysis, Pyruvate Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle and Oxidative Phosphorylation.
Within each chloroplast, disc-like structures called thylakoids are arranged in piles like stacks of pancakes. What are they known as?
Granum
What type of organisms perform photosynthesis and are found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments?
Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria (photosynthetic bacteria)
Which Photosystem in light reactions splits water?
Photosystem II (PSII)
How many turns of the Calvin Cycle are needed to produce ONE molecule of G3P?
3 turns
Reason: Because each turn fixes one carbon atom from carbon dioxide, and G3P is a three-carbon sugar. Three turns result in the incorporation of three carbon atoms, forming one net G3P molecule.
What molecule is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain of aerobic respiration.?
Oxygen (O₂)
Random Trivia Alert 🚨
What planet is known as the “Red Planet”?
Mars
Explain why photosynthesis is considered the opposite process of cellular respiration?
Photosynthesis stores energy by building glucose from CO₂ and H₂O (endergonic), while cellular respiration releases energy by breaking down glucose into CO₂ and H₂O (exergonic). They have reverse equations.
Explain the complete path of electrons during the light reactions, naming all key components.
Water → PSII (P680) → Electron Transport Chain → PSI (P700) → NADP+ to form NADPH
List the THREE main phases of the Calvin Cycle in order and the main event of each.
1) Carbon Fixation (CO₂ + RuBP), 2) Reduction (using ATP & NADPH to form G3P), 3) Regeneration (RuBP is reformed using ATP)
When oxygen is absent, cells can use what process to regenerate NAD+ and continue glycolysis?
Fermentation
(Lactic acid fermentation in animals, alcoholic fermentation in yeast)
True or False with explanation: Plants perform photosynthesis during the day and cellular respiration only at night.
FALSE!
Plants perform cellular respiration 24/7 (day and night) to generate ATP for their life processes. They only perform photosynthesis during the day when light is available.