Understanding Chloroplasts

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AP Biology › Understanding Chloroplasts

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which process is incorrectly matched with its location?

in the light independent reaction, G3P is produced in the thylakoid stroma

carbon fixation during the light independent reaction occurs in the thylakoid stroma

in the light dependent reaction, protons flow down their electrochemical gradient from the thylakoid lumen into the stroma, through the ATP synthase protein

in the light dependent reaction, protons are pumped from the thylakoid stroma into the lumen

Explanation

During the light dependent reaction, protons are pumped from the thylakoid stroma into the lumen. Then, these protons flow down their electrochemical gradient (from high concentration to low concentration), through the ATP synthase protein, producing ATP.

2

Where is chlorophyll located?

Thylakoid stroma

Thylakoid membrane

Mitochondrial membrane

Intermembrane space

Explanation

Chlorophyll is used to capture sunlight during the light dependent reaction; the excited electrons then flow down the electron transport chain located on the thylakoid membrane.

3

Which of the following terms can be described as the green pigment located within chloroplasts?

Chlorophyll

Mesophyll

Stomata

Photoreceptors

Explanation

Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color. The chlorophyll located in the chloroplasts captures the light energy that drives the synthesis of food molecules in the chloroplasts—photosynthesis.

4

Where in the chloroplasts does the Calvin Cycle of photosynthesis take place?

Stroma

Thylakoid membrane

Thylakoid lumen

Intermembrane space

Grana

Explanation

The Calvin Cycle occurs in the stroma, the aqueous fluid-filled area of the chloroplast. The stroma can be seen as analogous to the cytoplasm of a cell, in that it is the liquid in which all other substructures reside. The other processes of photosynthesis, the light-dependent reactions, take place in the thylakoid, a membrane-bound substructure within the chloroplast.

5

During the light dependent reaction, the proton gradient is established. Where is the concentration of protons the greatest?

thylakoid lumen

thylakoid stroma

thylakoid membrane

intermembrane space

Explanation

During the light dependent reaction, protons are pumped from the thylakoid stroma into the lumen. Then, these protons flow down their electrochemical gradient (from high concentration to low concentration), through the ATP synthase protein, producing ATP.

6

What is the organelle in plant cells that contains chlorophyll?

Chloroplasts

Mitochondria

Golgi apparatus

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Explanation

Chloroplasts are the organelles that contains chlorophyll. Mitochondria produce ATP and are not directly involved in capturing light and photosynthesis. The Golgi apparatus is involved in packaging substances, and Smooth endoplasmic reticulum are involved in lipid production.

7

Which of the following structures is unique to plant cells?

Chloroplasts

Mitchondria

Endoplasmic reticulum

Vacuoles

Lysosomes

Explanation

Chloroplasts are organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis; therefore they are unique to plant cells. All the other mentioned organelles can be found in both animal and plant cells.

8

Inside the chloroplast, what is the name of a stack of thylakoids?

Granum

Mitochondria

Thylakoidum

Stroma

Explanation

A stack of thylakoids is known as granum. Stroma is the region outside the thylakoid membranes, but still inside the chloroplast. Mitochondria is the organelle that produces ATP, and there is no such organelle called thylakoidum.

9

Which of the following can be found in plant cells, but not animal cells?

Chloroplasts

Ribosomes

Cell membrane

Mitochondria

Explanation

Chloroplasts, the site of photosynthesis, are only in plant cells and are not found in animal cells. Ribosomes, a cell membrane, and a mitochondria, however, can be found in both animal and plant cells.

The other structure that may be found in plant cells, but not animal cells, is a cell wall.

10

Which of the following best describes where chloroplasts are primarily located?

Mesophyll

Stomata

Roots

Stroma

Explanation

Chloroplasts are found mainly in the cells of the mesophyll, which is the tissue in the interior of the leaf. Stomata are the pores that allow carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to exit the leaf. The stroma is the dense fluid content of the chloroplast.

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