Biology 2483A Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Hydrothermal Vent, Photorespiration, Light-Independent Reactions
Document Summary
Lecture 4: coping with environmental variation : energy. Assimilate radiant energy from sunlight (photosynthesis), of from inorganic compounds (chemosynthesis). The energy is converted into chemical energy stored in the bonds of organic molecules. Energy from inorganic compounds is used to produce carbohydrates. Important in nutrient cycling bacteria, and in some ecosystems such as hydrothermal vent communities. The orange is sulfur that is the end product to chemosynthetic processes. Photosynthesis (most autotrophes): sunlight provides the energy to take up co2 and synthesize organic compounds. Most of the biologically available energy on earth is derived from photosynthesis. Photosynthetic organisms include some archaea, bacteria, and protists, and most algae and plants. Light reaction - light is harvested and used to split water and provide electrons to make atp and nadph. Dark reaction - co2 is fixed in the calvin cycle, and the carbohydrates are synthesized. Photosynthetic rate determines the supply of energy, which in turn influences growth and reproduction.