What is photosynthesis?
The synthesis of sugars from CO2, H2O, and light converting light energy into chemical energy.
What is the overall chemical equation of photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
What do the light reactions produce in photosynthesis?
ATP and NADPH.
What is the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis?
The light-independent reactions that use ATP and NADPH to fix carbon into sugar.
Where does photosynthesis take place in plant cells?
In the chloroplast.
How many membranes surround a chloroplast?
Two membranes.
What are grana in a chloroplast?
Stacks of thylakoids.
What is the stroma in a chloroplast?
The fluid surrounding the grana.
What are the three phases of the Calvin cycle carbon fixation?
Fixation, reduction, and regeneration.
What molecule accepts carbon during the fixation phase?
RuBP accepts carbon during fixation.
What is produced when CO2 is fixed during the Calvin cycle?
3PG is produced when CO2 is fixed.
What happens to 3PG during the reduction phase?
3PG is reduced to G3P.
Which molecule is regenerated during the regeneration phase?
RuBP is regenerated during regeneration.
What role does RuBP play in the Calvin cycle?
RuBP is the CO2 acceptor used in fixation.
What is Rubisco's role in carbon fixation?
It fixes carbon by removing carbon from CO2 and attaching it to another molecule.
Which enzyme is the most abundant on Earth?
Rubisco is the most abundant enzyme on the planet.
What percentage of total leaf protein does Rubisco represent?
Rubisco accounts for 10–50% of total leaf protein.
How many active sites does Rubisco have?
Rubisco has eight active sites.
What is Rubisco's affinity comparison for CO2 versus O2?
Rubisco has ten times greater affinity for CO2 than for O2.
What molecule competes with CO2 for Rubisco binding sites?
O2 competes with CO2 for Rubisco binding sites.
What is the effect of O2 competing with CO2 on plants?
It produces consequences for C4 and CAM plants.
What is a photosystem in photosynthesis?
A light-harvesting complex directing energy to a reaction center.
How many kinds of photosystems do plants have?
Two kinds: Photosystem II and Photosystem I.
Which pigment is most abundant in plants?
Chlorophyll a is the most abundant pigment.
What anchors chlorophyll a in the photosystem?
Its long tail anchors it in the thylakoid membrane.
What triggers electron excitation in the light reactions?
Light excites electrons in the light reactions.
What does electron transport establish in the light reactions?
Electron transport establishes a proton gradient.
What does ATP synthase use to produce ATP in light reactions?
ATP synthase uses the proton gradient to produce ATP.
Which photosystem produces ATP?
Photosystem II produces ATP.
Which photosystem produces NADPH for the Calvin cycle?
Photosystem I produces NADPH for the Calvin cycle.
Where do replacement electrons come from after Photosystem II chlorophyll a loses one?
Replacement electrons come from splitting water.
What is the source of the oxygen we breathe in photosynthesis?
Oxygen comes from splitting water during light reactions.
What energy source establishes the proton gradient in mitochondria versus thylakoids?
Glucose energy establishes it in mitochondria; light excites electrons in thylakoids.
What molecules compete for Rubisco binding sites in C4 and CAM plants?
O2 and CO2 compete for Rubisco binding sites.
Which enzyme's binding sites are involved in competition in C4 and CAM plants?
Rubisco's binding sites are involved in the competition.
What type of plants experience consequences from O2 and CO2 competition at Rubisco?
C4 and CAM plants experience these consequences.
Test your knowledge with 18 questions on Photosynthesis.
1. What is the primary purpose of photosynthesis?
2. Which equation correctly represents the overall reaction of photosynthesis?
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