Photosynthesis
The use of solar energy (sunlight) to produce food (carbohydrates).
Epidermis
Outer cell layer of a leaf, both top and bottom.
Cuticle
Layer of wax.
Palisade layer
Layer of a leaf which lies just under the surface, where most photosynthesis takes place.
Spongy cells
Cells beneath the palisade layer which carry out photosynthesis, more important for gas exchange.
Stomates
Openings on the bottom surface of the leaf.
Guard cells
Special cells which open and close stomates.
Chloroplast
The organelle in which photosynthesis takes place.
Stroma
Inner fluid of the chloroplast.
Thylakoids
Flattened membrane structures inside the stroma.
Thylakoid space
Inner space of the thylakoid.
Grana
Stacks of thylakoids.
Chlorophyll
Membranes of the thylakoids are filled with these green pigments.
Light-dependent reactions
Reactions which need light to occur.
Light-independent reactions
Reactions which do not need light to occur.
Light reactions
Reactions that require light/solar energy.
Dark reactions
Light-independent reactions.
Calvin cycle
Dependent on the input supplied by ATP and NADPH, products of light-dependent reactions.
Ribulose bisphosphate
Molecule which is regenerated each time light-independent reactions takes a turn.
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
Formed when the combination of a ribulose bisphosphate and a molecule of carbon dioxide is broken in half.
Carbon fixation
Process which is used by plants to produce carbohydrates.
Autotrophs
Organisms that make their own food.
Heterotrophs
Organisms that cannot make their own food.
Xylem
Special tissues within veins that carry water and nutrients to the rest of the plant. Xylem carries water.
Phloem
Special tissues within veins that carry water and nutrients to the rest of the plant. Phloem carries food.
Tracheids
Specific cell that transports water.
Vessel elements
Specific cell that transports water.
Sieve cells
Cells that carry out the transport.
Companion cells
Cells that help the sieve cells with their metabolic functions.
Stamen
Plant's male component, consists of the anther and the filament.
Anther
Part of the stamen which contains the pollen.
Filament
Supports the anther.
Pollen
Made from little cells called microspores, plant sperm.
Microspores
Little cells.
Pistil
Plant's female component.
Stigma
Absorbs pollen grains.
Style
Long, slender stalk that connects the stigma and ovary.
Ovule
Part of the ovary which becomes the seed.
Ovary
Hollow base of a flower, containing one or more ovules.
Megaspores
Cells formed by the ovule which is inside the ovary.