Chapter 8 Flashcards
(33 cards)
Photosynthesis process
6 CO2 + 12 H2O + (Light energy) = C6H12O6 + 6 H20 + 6 O2
Oxygenic Photosynthesis occurs in
Most plants (chloroplasts), almost all algae, cyanobacteria
Thylakoid
small discs, Stacked grana
Thylakoid membrane
Internal membrane
Contains chlorophyll and other photosynthetic pigments
Pigments clustered into photosystems
Grana
Stacks of flattened sacs of thylakoid membrane
Stroma
Semiliquid surrounding thylakoid membranes
Stoma
gas exchange
Mesophyll
Where photosynthesis occurs
Chloroplast
Organelle holding thylakoid
Light dependent reactions VS Carbon fixation reactions (Light independent reactions)
Light - Requires light. Capture energy from sunlight and makes ATP and NADPH (reduced NADP+)
Start: Sunlight, Water, NADP+ END: O2, NADPH, ATP
Dark/Carbon fixation - Does not require light. Use ATP and NADPH to synthesize organic molecules from CO2
Start: NADPH, ATP, CO2. END: Organic molecules (particularly sugars)
Pigments
Molecules that absorb light energy in the visible light range
Photon and wavelength
Particle of light. Acts as discrete bundle of energy
Energy content inverse proportional to wavelength of light. More energy=smaller wavelengths
Less energy = larger wavelengths
Photoelectric effect
Removal of an electron from a molecule by light
Electro Magnetic Spectrum
Light is for of electromagnetic energy.
Visible light 400-700 (or 740) nm
Absorption spectrum
Range and efficiency of photons a molecule is capable of absorbing
When photon strikes a molecule its energy either:
1 lost as heat
2 Absorbed by the electrons of the molecule, boosts electrons into higher energy level (how photosynthesis begins)
Two general pigments used in green plant photosynthesis
Chlorophylls
Carotenoids
Chlorophyll a
Main pigment in plants and cyanobacteria. Only pigment that can act directly to convert light energy to chemical energy. Absorbs violet-blue to red light
Chlorophyll b
Accessory pigment or secondary pigment absorbing light wavelengths that chlorophyll a does not absorb. Blue to light blue and yellows and oranges
Structure of chlorophyll
Porphyrin ring (complex ring structure with alternating double and single bonds). Magnesium ion at the center of ring.
Photons excite electrons in the ring, shuttled away from the ring
Action Spectrum
Relative effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in promoting photosynthesis. Corresponds with absorption spectrum for chlorophylls
Carotenoids (tetraterpenoids)
Carbon rings linked to chains with alternation single and double bonds.
Can absorb photons with a wide range of energies. Also scavenge free radicals- antioxidants
Can capture UV and prevent damage.
Typically orange pigments that aren’t seen because of green
Phycobiloproteins
Important in low-light ocean areas-algae
In cyanobacteria, absorb green light not absorbed by green algae at surface
Antenna complex and Reaction center
Antenna complex - Hundreds of accessory pigment molecules (Carotenoids and Chlorophyll b). Gather photons and feed the captured light energy to the reaction center. Light harvesting complex
Reaction Center - 1 or more chlorophyll a molecules. Passes excited electrons out of the photosystem
Excitation energy
(In antenna complex) Energy is transferred from one molecule to another until it encounters the reaction center (chlorophyll a) Now electron transfer is initiated