Princeton Review Chapter 14

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.