Biology Semester Exam

What are the products of photosynthesis?

• water and carbon dioxide

• oxygen and glucose

• oxygen and carbon dioxide

• oxygen and water

Answer explanation

The products of photosynthesis are oxygen and glucose. Oxygen is released as a byproduct, while glucose is the main product used for energy storage and growth.

What molecule absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis?

• chloroplast

• thylakoid

• grana

• chlorophyll

Answer explanation

Chlorophyll is the molecule that absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis. It is responsible for capturing light energy and converting it into chemical energy.

Use the diagram to answer the question. Between which parts of the molecule must the bonds be broken to form an ADP molecule?

• A and B

• A and C

• B and C

• C and D

Answer explanation

To form an ADP molecule, and release energy, the bonds must be broken between the phosphates.

Plants need carbon dioxide from their environment to produce glucose during which stage of photosynthesis? 

• The light-dependent stage

• The light-independent stage (The Calvin Cycle)

• The electron transport chain

• ATP formation

Answer explanation

Plants produce glucose during the light-independent stage (The Calvin Cycle) of photosynthesis.

Where do the light-dependent reactions occur? 

• thylakoid membrane

• stroma

• mesophyll

• mitochondria

Answer explanation

The light-dependent reactions occur in the thylakoid membrane. It is where photosynthesis begins and light energy is converted into chemical energy.

Where does the Light Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle) occur?

• thylakoid

• stroma

• lumen

• mitochondria

Answer explanation

The Light Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle) occur in the stroma. It is the fluid-filled space within the chloroplast where the cycle takes place.

Kylie is explaining why chlorophyll is classified as a plant pigment and how it is useful in photosynthesis. Which property of chlorophyll would be most appropriate for her to cite?

• chlorophyll’s green color

• chlorophyll’s ability to absorb light

• chlorophyll’s reactivity with oxygen

• chlorophyll’s presence in chloroplasts

Bree states that the following word equation is a model of a cellular process.

glucose + oxygen --> carbon dioxide + water

Bree wants to rewrite the equation with a modification to model the relationship between cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Which of these modifications would be most useful?

• Rewrite the equation with proteins replacing glucose.

• Rewrite the equation with exchanged positions of oxygen and water.

• Rewrite the equation with the arrow pointing in the opposite direction.

• Rewrite the equation with exchanged positions of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

During photosynthesis, what best describes the role of the compound glucose, with the chemical formula C₆H₁₂O₆?

• a product that is useful because of its high-energy chemical bonds

• either a product or a reactant, depending on whether the cell needs to store energy or release energy

• a product that is not useful because of its low-energy chemical bonds

• a reactant that is useful because of its high-energy chemical bonds

Savannah is asked to explain the locations of the stages of cellular respiration. What location should she give for the site of glycolysis?

• the matrix of the mitochondria

• the nucleus, the innermost part of the cell

• the cytoplasm of the cell

• the cell membrane, which surrounds the cell