Chapter 6 Photosynthesis
autotroph An organism that can make its own food Includes plants, algae, some protists, and some bacteria
photosynthesis The process of converting sunlight to chemical energy
Equation for photosynthesis Carbon dioxide + water yields glucose + oxygen
heterotroph An organism that obtains its nutrition by eating other organisms
ATP An energy storing molecule; stores chemical energy produced from photosynthesis Energy is released from ATP when a phosphate group is broken off.
chloroplast A structure found in plants; where photosynthesis occurs
thylakoid Membrane of grana where first stage of photosynthesis takes place; light energy is absorbed
grana Structures in the chloroplast that are the site of photosynthesis; (a stack of thylakoids)
chlorophyll A green pigment that absorbs certain wavelengths of light
pigment Compounds that absorb light
carotenoid Compounds that are accessory pigments (they help chlorophyll) Absorb wavelengths of light that chlorophyll can’t Produce yellow, orange and brown colors
stomata Holes in plant leaves that take in CO2 and give off O2 and water
stroma Solution in the space around the grana (pl.) Granum (s.)
photosystem Cluster of pigment molecules in thylakoid membrane