author: russell san jacinto college
Photosynthesis
plants capturing energy from the sun and converting it into chemical energy that will be stored in the sugars it will make.
Overall equation & Tracking the Atoms Through Photosynthesis
6CO2 + 12H2O (light and chorophyl) => C6H12O6 + 6H20 + 6O2
Chlorophyll a
The most important of the two Chlorophyll; found in plants, green algae, and cynobacteria. The differentiating side group is CH3
Carotenoids
yellow-orange pigments that absorbs light in photosynthesis; embedded in the thylakoid membranes; yellow-orange vegetables have this (carrots)
Reaction Center
where the photon is going to be focused and where the electrons will be excited; contains two chlorophyll A molecules; the ultimate pigment responsible
Primary Electron acceptor
accepts electron passed from the reaction center, after electrons has been excited and moved to the outer energy level; holds the electron (redox reaction (oxidation and reduction reaction))
Reduction
occurs when something gains an electron as in the case with the Primary Electron Acceptor.
PS I
aka P700; absorbs wavelengths of light in the red area; where 2nd excitation of electrons occur
Plastoquinone Pool.
A "pool" of molecules within the thylakoid membranes; links PSII to PSI; also aids the Cytochrome complex in the pumping of H+ from the stroma to the lumen
Ferredoxin
an iron sulfur protein that acts as another mobile electron carrier of the pathway; then transfers to the NADP+ reductase
Cyclic Electron Flow
only uses PSI; Excited electrons cycle back to PSI; ATP is produced, but not NAPDH; Electron are sent back to the Ferrodoxin then to the Cytochrome complex.
Carbon Fixation
3 Co2 (atmosphere) react w 3 ribulose bisphosphates (needed for making sugars)(RuBP) forming 3 unstable 6C compounds.