Photosynthesis Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the chemical formula for photosynthesis?

6CO2 + 6H2O ---> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Where in the plant does photosynthesis take place?

Chloroplasts

What are the required inputs for photosynthesis?

Light, Carbon Dioxide, and Water

What is the output of photosynthesis?

Sugars and Oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the light-dependent cycle?

A set of reactions in photosynthesis that use energy from light to produce ATP and NADPH. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the light-independent cycle?

A set of reactions that do not require light; energy from ATP and NADPH is used to build high-energy compounds such as sugar. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role chloroplasts have in photosynthesis, including stroma, thylakoid, and grana.

Chloroplasts contain thylakoids arranged in stacks called grana, where light absorption occurs. The stroma is the fluid around thylakoids where the light-independent reactions take place. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it said that abundance of life on earth wouldn't exist if we didn't have plants?

Plants trap the sun's energy and turn it into high-energy sugars and oxygen, essential for life. Signup and view all the answers

Why do plants have multiple pigments inside their chloroplasts?

To capture a wide variety of different regions within the visible spectrum. Signup and view all the answers

What role does water play in photosynthesis?

Water provides the electrons and hydrogen ions needed for the light-dependent and light-independent phases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between ADP and ATP?

ATP contains an extra phosphate and thus has more energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of NADPH in photosynthesis?

NADPH is an electron carrier that transfers high-energy electrons to other molecules. Signup and view all the answers

Why is water so vitally important in photosynthesis?

It provides electrons and hydrogen ions for NADPH and ATP production in the light-dependent reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What role does carbon dioxide have in photosynthesis?

It is used in the light-independent phase to produce a single 6-carbon sugar molecule through the Calvin cycle. Signup and view all the answers

What does the electron transport chain do in the process of photosynthesis?

It uses energy from electrons to pump hydrogen ions, creating a gradient for ATP production. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the steps of photosynthesis.

Light energy strikes the leaf, captured by chlorophyll in chloroplasts, splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, produces NADPH and ATP, uses carbon dioxide in the stroma to create carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Photosynthesis Overview

Chemical Formula: Photosynthesis is represented by the equation 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, demonstrating the transformation of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Location: Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, specialized organelles within plant cells.

Inputs and Outputs

Required Inputs: Essential components for photosynthesis include light, carbon dioxide, and water.
Outputs: The process generates sugars (like glucose) and oxygen, crucial for life on Earth.

Light-Dependent Reactions

Function: This phase utilizes light energy to produce ATP and NADPH, which are energy-carrying molecules.
Process Details: Light energy is captured by chlorophyll, exciting electrons and facilitating the generation of energy carriers.

Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

Process Description: Also known as the Calvin Cycle, this stage does not require light. It uses ATP and NADPH to synthesize high-energy compounds, primarily sugar.
Role of Carbon Dioxide: Six molecules of carbon dioxide are utilized to ultimately create one molecule of glucose.

Role of Chloroplasts

Chloroplast Structure: Chloroplasts consist of thylakoids (membranous sacs) arranged in stacks (grana) and the surrounding fluid matrix called stroma.
Pigmentation: Various pigments, like chlorophyll a and b, capture different wavelengths of light, optimizing energy absorption for photosynthesis.

Importance of Water

Water's Role: Water supplies the necessary electrons and hydrogen ions for the light-dependent and light-independent reactions, making it crucial for the entire process.
Hydrogen and Electron Production: Electrons from water enable NADPH and ATP formation during the light-dependent phase.

ATP and NADPH

ADP vs. ATP: ATP has an additional phosphate group compared to ADP, indicating higher energy storage capacity.
NADPH Function: NADPH serves as an electron carrier, transferring high-energy electrons for sugar production during the light-independent reactions.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

ETC Functionality: The energy from excited electrons is used to create a hydrogen ion concentration gradient across the thylakoid membrane, facilitating ATP synthesis.

Ecological Significance of Plants

Life on Earth: Plants play a foundational role in ecosystems by converting solar energy into chemical energy in the form of sugars and oxygen, essential for most living organisms.

Summary of Photosynthesis Steps

Light energy penetrates leaves and is captured by chlorophyll in chloroplasts.
Water is split to produce hydrogen and oxygen; oxygen is released.
NADPH and ATP are generated from the energy derived from light.
Carbon dioxide enters the chloroplasts, and in the stroma, hydrogen and carbon combine to form carbohydrates.
Energy-rich carbohydrates are distributed to plant cells for growth and energy.

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Description

Test your knowledge about photosynthesis with these flashcards. Learn about the chemical formula, the location within plants where photosynthesis occurs, and the inputs and outputs of the process. This quiz is a great way to reinforce your understanding of this essential biological process.