Photosynthesis Vocabulary

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Electron transport chains

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Series of electron carrier proteins that shuttle high-energy electrons during ATP-generating reactions.

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Heterotroph

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Organism that obtains food by consuming other living things; also called a consumer.

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ATP

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Compound used by cells to store and release energy.

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Photosynthesis

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Process used by plants and other autotrophs to capture light energy and convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates.

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Thylakoid

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Saclike photosynthetic membranes found in chloroplasts.

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Autotroph

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Organism that can produce its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

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Chlorophyll

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Green pigment found in plants that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

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Stroma

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The fluid-filled space surrounding the thylakoids in chloroplasts where the Calvin Cycle occurs.

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Calvin Cycle

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Light-independent reactions of photosynthesis that convert carbon dioxide into glucose using ATP and NADPH.

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Pigments

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Molecules that absorb specific wavelengths of light; essential for capturing light energy in photosynthesis.