Module 7: Photosynthesis study guide 2024

absorption spectrum - range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by a given substance antenna protein - pigment molecule that directly absorbs light and transfers the energy absorbed to other pigment molecules Calvin cycle - light-independent reactions of photosynthesis that convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into carbohydrates using the energy and reducing power of ATP and NADPH carbon fixation - process of converting inorganic CO2 gas into organic compounds carotenoid - photosynthetic pigment (yellow-orange-red) that functions to dispose of excess energy chemoautotroph - organism that can build organic molecules using energy derived from inorganic chemicals instead of sunlight chlorophyll a - form of chlorophyll that absorbs violet-blue and red light and consequently has a bluish-green color; the only pigment molecule that performs the photochemistry by getting excited and losing an electron to the electron transport chain chlorophyll b - accessory pigment that absorbs blue and red-orange light and consequently has a yellowish-green tint chloroplast - organelle in which photosynthesis takes place cytochrome complex - group of reversibly oxidizable and reducible proteins that forms part of the electron transport chain between photosystem II and photosystem I electromagnetic spectrum - range of all possible frequencies of radiation