Questions and Answers
What does it mean that plants are photoautotrophs?
They use light energy to drive the synthesis of organic molecules from inorganic materials.
The ultimate source of energy to support most life on Earth is _____.
sunlight
The photosynthetic membranes are found in the _____ in plant cells.
chloroplasts
In the electromagnetic spectrum, the type of radiation that we call visible light occurs between _____
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Which of the following is a product of the light reactions of photosynthesis?
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When light strikes chlorophyll molecules, what are the electrons replaced by?
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In photosynthesis, what happens to H2O and CO2?
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Which of the following products of the light reactions of photosynthesis is consumed during the Calvin cycle?
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The overall function of the Calvin cycle is ___
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Why do C4 plants occur more commonly in desert conditions?
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Study Notes
Photosynthesis Fundamentals
- Plants are classified as photoautotrophs, meaning they utilize light energy to create organic compounds from inorganic materials.
- Sunlight is the primary energy source that sustains most life on Earth.
Cellular Structures
- Photosynthetic membranes are located within chloroplasts in plant cells.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Visible light, the type of radiation necessary for photosynthesis, lies between ultraviolet radiation and infrared radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Light Reactions
- Key products of the light reactions in photosynthesis include oxygen, ATP, and NADPH.
- Chlorophyll molecules release electrons when exposed to light, which are replenished by the splitting of water molecules.
Redox Reactions
- Photosynthesis acts as a redox reaction, where water (H2O) is oxidized during the light reactions and carbon dioxide (CO2) is reduced in the Calvin cycle.
Calvin Cycle
- NADPH produced in the light reactions is consumed during the Calvin cycle.
- The primary function of the Calvin cycle is to synthesize sugars from carbon dioxide.
C4 Plants Adaptation
- C4 plants thrive in arid environments due to their ability to fix carbon even at lower CO2 concentrations that occur when stomata are closed.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the essential processes of photosynthesis, including light reactions and the Calvin cycle. This quiz covers plant photosynthetic structures, the electromagnetic spectrum, and the redox reactions involved in creating energy-rich compounds.
