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Bio Chapter 4
Term | Definition |
---|---|
ATP | Adenosine triphosphate, an organic molecule that acts as the main energy source for cell processes; composed of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and three phosphate groups |
ADP | Low-energy molecule that can be converted to ATP |
Chemosynthesis | Process by which ATP is synthesized by using chemicals as an energy source instead of light |
Photosynthesis | The process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce carbohydrates and oxygen |
Chlorophyll | A green pigment that is present in most plant and algae cells and some bacteria that gives plants their characteristic green color, and that absorbs light to provide energy for photosynthesis |
Thylakoid | A membrane system found within chloroplasts that contains the components for photosynthesis |
Light-dependent reactions | Part of photosynthesis that absorbs energy from sunlight and transfers energy to the light-independent reactions |
Light-independent reactions | Part of photosynthesis that uses energy absorbed during the light-dependent reactions to synthesize carbohydrates |
Photosystem | Series of light-absorbing pigments and proteins that capture and transfer energy in the thylakoid membrane |
Electron transport chain | A series of molecules, found in the inner membranes of mitochondria and chloroplasts, through which electrons pass in a process that causes protons to build up on one side of the membrane |
ATP synthase | Enzyme that catalyzes the reaction that adds a high-energy phosphate group to ADP to form ATP |
Calvin cycle | A biochemical pathway of photosynthesis in which carbon dioxide is converted into glucose using ATP |
Cellular respiration | The process by which cells produce energy from carbohydrates; atmospheric oxygen combines with glucose to form water and carbon dioxide |
Aerobic | Process that requires oxygen to occur |
Glycolysis | The anaerobic breakdown of glucose into pyruvic acid, which makes a small amount of energy available to cells in the form of ATP |
Anaerobic | Describes a process that does not require oxygen |
Krebs cycle | A series of biochemical reactions that convert pyruvic acid into carbon dioxide and water; it is the major pathway of oxidation in animal, bacterial, and plant cells, and it releases energy |
Fermentation | The breakdown of carbohydrates by enzymes, bacteria, yeasts, or mold in the absence of oxygen |
Lactic acid | Product of fermentation in many types of cells, including human muscle cells |