Photo Synthesis

What is the water cycle?

The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is a continuous process through which water circulates between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere. It involves several key processes, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection, allowing water to change between its various states – liquid, vapor, and solid – while moving through different environments.

What are the stages of the water cycle?

The stages of the water cycle encompass four primary processes: evaporation (the transformation of liquid water into water vapor due to heat), condensation (the cooling and transformation of vapor back into liquid water, forming clouds), precipitation (the falling of water in various forms such as rain, snow, or hail), and collection (the accumulation of water in bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans where it can eventually evaporate again).

What is evaporation?

Evaporation is the physical process by which liquid water is converted into water vapor in the atmosphere. This transformation occurs when water absorbs sufficient heat energy, typically from sunlight, resulting in water molecules gaining enough energy to break free from the liquid state and enter the gaseous phase.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process in which water vapor in the air cools and transitions back into liquid water. This occurs when the air temperature drops, causing the water vapor to lose energy and form tiny droplets, which aggregate to create clouds or dew on surfaces.

What is precipitation?

Precipitation refers to any form of water that falls from the clouds in the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. It includes various manifestations such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail, primarily determined by atmospheric conditions like temperature and humidity.

What is collection in the water cycle?

Collection refers to the accumulation of water in various formations on Earth, including rivers, lakes, ponds, and oceans. In this stage, water gathers after precipitation events, and it is crucial as it serves as a source for evaporation and helps maintain the overall balance of water in the environment.

What role does the sun play in the water cycle?

The sun plays a vital role in driving the water cycle by providing the energy needed for evaporation. Its heat causes liquid water on the Earth's surface to evaporate and become water vapor, which then rises into the atmosphere, leading to cloud formation and the continuation of the cycle.

What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the process whereby plants absorb water through their roots from the soil and subsequently release water vapor back into the atmosphere through small openings known as stomata in their leaves. This process contributes to the moisture in the air and plays a significant role in the water cycle.

What is infiltration?

Infiltration is the process through which water on the surface, primarily from rainfall or melting snow, enters and penetrates the soil. This process is essential for replenishing groundwater supplies, influencing the water cycle by allowing water to be stored underground for later use.

What is runoff?

Runoff is the movement of water, typically after precipitation, across the land's surface, flowing into streams, rivers, lakes, and ultimately returning to the ocean. It represents the excess water that does not infiltrate the ground and plays a critical role in transporting nutrients and sediments within ecosystems.

ADP

A molecule containing two high-energy phosphate bonds that may be formed by breaking one of the phosphate bonds in ATP.

NADP+

A compound that accepts one hydrogen atom and two electrons forming NADPH; it is an electron acceptor.

NADPH

A compound that donates one hydrogen aton and two electrons to another molecule, to reform NADP+; it is an electron donor.

The process of incorporation CO2 into carbohydrate molecules.

Carbon Fixation

Light-dependent reactions

reactions of photosynthesis that use energy from light to produce ATP and NADPH

A cyclic set of reactions occurring in the stroma of chloroplasts that fixes the carbon of CO2 into carbohydrate molecules and recycles coenzymes.

Calvin Cycle

Light-independent reactions

The second set of reactions in photosynthesis that do not require light.

Photosystem

A cluster of photosynthetic pigments embedded in a thylakoid membrane of a chloroplast that absorbs light energy.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of progressively stronger electron acceptors; each time an electron is transferred, energy is released.

Photolysis

A chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down by light.

Oxidation

A reaction in which an atom or molecule loses electrons.

Reduction

A reaction which an atom or molecule gains electrons.

Chemiosmosis

A process for synthesizing ATP using the energy of an electrochemical gradient and the ATP synthase enzyme.

Photosynthesis Equation

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

Formula for Glucose

C6H12O6

Chemical Bonds

Where energy is stored in photosynthetic organisms.

Short wavelengths have...

High Energy.

Number of molecules used in the Calvin Cycle?

6 Molecules.

Raw Materials in photosynthesis?

Carbon dioxide and Water.

Molecule of immediate energy?

ATP.

Products of 'Light-Dependent' reactions?

ATP, NADPH and O2.

Chemical reactions where electrons are lost.

Oxidation.

Range of coloured lights wavelength.

380nm - 750nm.

What does chlorophyll do to green pigment?

Reflects it.

Chlorophyll A

The pigment able to use light energy.

Where light is absorbed.

Thylakoid Membranes

Process of water breaking down.

Photolysis.

Where does the Calvin Cycle occur?

The Stroma

Carbon Fixation

The process of incorporating CO2 into carbohydrate molecules.

What is the chemical process where electrons are gained?

Reduction

What is the Electron Transport Chain?

The Electron Transport Chain is a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfers electrons from donor molecules, releasing energy in the process, which is used to pump protons into the intermembrane space, establishing an electrochemical gradient used for ATP synthesis.

One glucose molecule requires _ ATP and _ NADPH.

18 ATP and 12 NADPH.

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert __________ energy into __________ energy in the form of glucose, using __________ dioxide and __________, and releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

light, chemical, carbon, water

Photosynthesis occurs in two main stages: __________ reactions (convert solar energy into ATP and NADPH) and __________ reactions (Calvin cycle, which synthesizes glucose using ATP and NADPH).

light-dependent, light-independent

During light-dependent reactions, chlorophyll absorbs __________, energizes electrons, splits water to release __________, and produces ATP and NADPH.

sunlight, oxygen

The __________ cycle takes place in the stroma of chloroplasts, using ATP and NADPH to convert carbon dioxide into __________ through a series of reactions.

Calvin, glucose

Chlorophyll is the __________ pigment in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy, which is essential for initiating the process of photosynthesis.

green

Photosynthesis is crucial for life as it generates __________ matter for nearly all organisms and produces __________, vital for aerobic respiration.

organic, oxygen

The byproducts of photosynthesis are __________, which serves as energy, and __________, which is released into the atmosphere.

glucose, oxygen

Carbon dioxide enters the plant through __________, small openings on leaves that allow gas exchange.

stomata

The equation for photosynthesis is: 6 __________ + 6 __________ + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 __________.

CO2, H2O, O2

Photosynthesis is influenced by __________ intensity, __________ dioxide concentration, water availability, and __________; optimal conditions enhance its rate.

light, carbon, temperature

Other pigments, like __________, capture additional light wavelengths and protect plants from excess sunlight by dissipating energy.

carotenoids

Photophosphorylation is the process of synthesizing __________ from ADP and inorganic phosphate, powered by light energy during the light-dependent reactions.

ATP

Water provides __________ and __________ during light-dependent reactions, and its splitting releases oxygen as a byproduct.

electrons, protons

ATP and NADPH are __________ carriers produced during light-dependent reactions that fuel the Calvin cycle for glucose synthesis.

energy

Temperature affects __________ activity related to photosynthesis; optimal temperatures increase photosynthetic rates, while extremes can inhibit the process.

enzyme

Plants optimize photosynthesis through leaf __________, orientation, and __________/closing stomata to balance water loss with CO2 intake.

structure, opening