DEBio 8 Photosynthesis vocab

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absorption spectrum

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range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by a given substance

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antenna protein

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pigment molecule that directly absorbs light and transfers the energy absorbed to other pigment molecules

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Calvin cycle

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light-independent reactions of photosynthesis that convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into carbohydrates using the energy and reducing power of ATP and NADPH

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carbon fixation

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process of converting inorganic CO2 gas into organic compounds

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carotenoid

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photosynthetic pigment (yellow-orange-red) that functions to dispose of excess energy

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chemoautotroph

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organism that can build organic molecules using energy derived from inorganic chemicals instead of sunlight

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chlorophyll a

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form of chlorophyll that absorbs violet-blue and red light and consequently has a bluish-green color

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chlorophyll b

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accessory pigment that absorbs blue and red-orange light and consequently has a yellowish-green tint

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chloroplast

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organelle in which photosynthesis takes place

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cytochrome complex

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group of reversibly oxidizable and reducible proteins that forms part of the electron transport chain between photosystem II and photosystem I