Photosynthesis 5.6 Flashcards
(47 cards)
What is photosynthesis?
The process where an organism converts light energyfrom the sun into sugar and other organic molecules so it can use and store them as chemical energy
two step process
What does a chloroplast consist of?
- outer membrane
- inner membrane
- granum (thylakoid stack)
- stroma
- thylakoid (lamellae)
Where do the two main stages of photosynthesis happen?
- light dependent stage happens in the thylakoid membrane
- calvin cycle happens in the stroma
What are autotrophs?
Organisms that use light or chemical energy to synthesise larger organic molecules from smaller inorganic ones
What are heterotrophs?
Organisms that obtain large organic molecules from autotrophs
What are chemoautotrophs?
Organisms that synthesise larger organic molecules urging energy from chemicals
What are photoautotrophs?
Organisms that synthesise larger organic molecules using energy from light
What are the compensation points on the graph?
When the rate of photosynthesis is working at the same rate as respiration so there is not net gain or loss
What are the adaptations of the chloroplast to increase rate of photosynthesis?
- inner membrane
- many grana
- photosynthetic pigments
- fluid filled stroma
- DNA and ribosomes
How does the inner membrane of a chloroplast help with photosynthesis?
Controls transport of molecules across the membrane with transport proteins
How does having many grana in a chloroplast help with photosynthesis?
- creates a large SA for photopigments
What are photosystems?
They are funnel shaped structures made of photosynthetic pigment molecules that are arranged in light harvesting clusters that carry out the absorption of light
What are the two types of photosystems?
- photosystem I (PS1) 700nm
- Photosystem II (PS2) 680nm
Why are photosynthetic pigments important?
- they are found in photosystems
- absorb specific wavelengths of light
- energy captured and funnelled to the primary pigment reaction centre by the light harvesting systems
How does the fluid filled stroma in a chloroplast help with photosynthesis?
Contains enzymes needed to catalyse reactions of the LDS, starch, ribosomes and DNA
How does the DNA and ribosomes of a chloroplast help with photosynthesis?
Makes proteins for photosynthesis
What is chlorophyll?
Light capturing photosynthetic pigments that funnel the energy into primary pigment reaction centres
What are the different types of chlorophyll?
- chlorophyll a
- chlorophyll b
- carotenoids
- xanothophylls
What wavelength does chlorophyll a absorb?
blue - green wavelengths
What wavelength does chlorophyll b absorb?
yellwo - green wavelengths
What wavelength does carotenoids absorb?
Blue wavelengths
What wavelength does xanothophylls absorb?
Blue - green wavelengths
What are the different stages of the light dependent stage?
- light harvesting
- photolysis of water
- photophosphorylation
- formation of NADH from NAD
What happens during light harvesting?
Energy from the light is harvested and is used to drive the production of chemicals as a source of energy
to split water