Term | Definition |
ATP | an organic molecule that acts as the main energy source for the cell; composed of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and three phosphate groups. |
chemosynthesis | the 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 cells, that give plants their characteristic green color, and that reacts with sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to form carbohydrates. |
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 |
Calvin cycle | a biochemical pathway of photosynthesis in which carbon dioxide is converted into glucose using ATP( also called the light-independent reactions) |
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 the presences of 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 |
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, yeast or mold in the absence of oxygen |
lactic acid | product of fermentation in many types of cells, including human muscle cells |
protist | an organism that belongs to the kingdom protista |
protozoa | animal-like protist |
cilia | short hairlike structures that cover some or all of the cell surface and help the organism swim and capture food |
algae | plant like protist |