Photosynthesis Flashcards

Learn about Photosynthesis efficiently with AI-generated flashcards designed for
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Question
What is photosynthesis?
Answer
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose.
Question
Where does photosynthesis primarily occur?
Answer
Photosynthesis primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells.
Question
What is the overall chemical equation for photosynthesis?
Answer
The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
Question
What are the two main stages of photosynthesis?
Answer
The two main stages of photosynthesis are the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions).
Question
What role does chlorophyll play in photosynthesis?
Answer
Chlorophyll captures light energy, which is essential for the process of photosynthesis.
Question
What are chloroplasts?
Answer
Chloroplasts are specialized organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis by capturing light energy and converting it into chemical energy.
Question
What is the Calvin cycle?
Answer
The Calvin cycle is a series of biochemical reactions in the stroma of chloroplasts that convert carbon dioxide into glucose.
Question
Who discovered the Calvin cycle?
Answer
The Calvin cycle is named after Melvin Calvin, who discovered it.
Question
What is glucose?
Answer
Glucose is a simple sugar that serves as an important energy source in living organisms and has the chemical formula C6H12O6.
Question
What are carbohydrates?
Answer
Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients and are a significant source of energy for the body, classified into sugars, starches, and fiber.
Question
What is the function of NADPH in photosynthesis?
Answer
NADPH is used in the Calvin cycle to help convert carbon dioxide into glucose.
Question
What is ATP's role in photosynthesis?
Answer
ATP provides the energy required for the biochemical reactions in the Calvin cycle.
Question
What is the significance of photosynthesis for life on Earth?
Answer
Photosynthesis produces oxygen and organic matter, which are essential for the survival of nearly all organisms.
Question
How does photosynthesis contribute to the carbon cycle?
Answer
Photosynthesis sequesters carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing greenhouse gas levels and forming the basis of the food web.
Question
What is the role of chloroplasts in plant cells?
Answer
Chloroplasts are responsible for conducting photosynthesis, capturing light energy, and converting it into chemical energy.
Question
What is the process of carbon fixation?
Answer
Carbon fixation is the process in the Calvin cycle where carbon dioxide is incorporated into an organic molecule by the enzyme RuBisCO.
Question
What are the implications of photosynthesis for agriculture?
Answer
Photosynthesis is the foundation of the food chain, supporting agriculture and the growth of crops vital for human and animal consumption.
Question
What is the relationship between photosynthesis and climate change?
Answer
Photosynthesis helps reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
Question
What is the importance of oxygen produced during photosynthesis?
Answer
The oxygen produced during photosynthesis is vital for the respiration of most living organisms.
Question
What is the endosymbiotic theory related to chloroplasts?
Answer
The endosymbiotic theory suggests that chloroplasts originated from ancient symbiotic bacteria that were engulfed by ancestral plant cells.
Question
What are the three main types of photosynthesis pathways?
Answer
The three main types of photosynthesis pathways are C3, C4, and CAM.
Question
What is the role of light-dependent reactions in photosynthesis?
Answer
Light-dependent reactions convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.
Question
What is the significance of Melvin Calvin's research?
Answer
Melvin Calvin's research on carbon dioxide assimilation in plants led to the discovery of the Calvin cycle, for which he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1961.

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