Autotrophs and Energy Processes

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Questions and Answers

What are organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis called?

Producers (correct)

Consumers

Heterotrophs

Decomposers

What is the primary energy carrier in cells?

NADPH

FADH2

ADP

ATP (correct)

In which part of the chloroplast does the Calvin Cycle occur?

Granum

Stroma (correct)

Outer membrane

Thylakoid membranes

During glycolysis, how many ATP molecules are produced?

2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the final electron acceptor in aerobic respiration?

Oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What do decomposers do in the ecosystem?

Break down dead material and recycle nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What stage of cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondria?

Electron Transport Chain Signup and view all the answers

Which process does NOT require oxygen?

Anaerobic respiration Signup and view all the answers

What is the main product of glycolysis?

Pyruvate Signup and view all the answers

Which level of protein structure describes the sequence of amino acids?

Primary Signup and view all the answers

Which process occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells?

Transcription Signup and view all the answers

What compound is primarily used as an energy source in cellular respiration?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

What type of bond forms when electrons are shared unequally between atoms?

Polar Covalent Bond Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing mRNA during transcription?

RNA polymerase Signup and view all the answers

Which structure contains many genes and is coiled in eukaryotic cells?

Chromosome Signup and view all the answers

In DNA replication, which enzyme is responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix?

DNA helicase Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes RNA from DNA in terms of structure?

RNA contains Uracil Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of denaturation in proteins?

Loss of function Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Autotrophs, Heterotrophs, Producers, Consumers, Decomposers

Autotrophs: Organisms that create their own food (e.g., plants, algae) typically through photosynthesis.
Heterotrophs: Organisms that cannot make their food, and consume other organisms for energy (e.g., animals, fungi).
Producers: Autotrophs that make food for others (often glucose).
Consumers: Organisms that eat producers or other consumers to obtain energy (e.g., herbivores, carnivores).
Decomposers: Organisms that break down dead matter and return nutrients to the ecosystem (e.g., bacteria, fungi).

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

ATP is the main energy currency in cells.
Composed of adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups.
Stores energy in high-energy phosphate bonds.
Energy is released when these bonds break, powering cellular processes.

Photosynthesis

Equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
Converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using light energy.
Stages:
- Light-dependent reactions (thylakoid membranes): Use light to make ATP and NADPH.
- Calvin Cycle (stroma): Uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO₂ into glucose.

Cellular Respiration

Equation: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP
Breaks down glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.
Stages:
- Glycolysis (cytoplasm): Breaks down glucose into pyruvate, creating 2 ATP and 2 NADH.
- Krebs Cycle (mitochondria): Further breaks down pyruvate, releasing CO₂ and producing NADH, FADH₂, and ATP.
- Electron Transport Chain (inner mitochondrial membrane): NADH and FADH₂ donate electrons, creating a large amount of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Aerobic respiration produces up to 38 ATP per glucose.

Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration: Requires oxygen; involves glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.
Anaerobic respiration: Occurs without oxygen; includes glycolysis followed by fermentation. ATP production is limited (2 ATP per glucose).

Energy Sources in Cellular Respiration

Glucose is the primary energy source. Other macromolecules (lipids, proteins) can be used if glucose is unavailable.

Protein Structure and Function

Proteins are chains of amino acids.
Perform diverse functions: structural support, catalyzing reactions (enzymes), antibodies, hormones, etc.
Levels of structure:
- Primary: Amino acid sequence.
- Secondary: Local structures (alpha-helices, beta-pleated sheets).
- Tertiary: 3D shape of the protein.
- Quaternary: Arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains.
Denaturation: Loss of 3D structure and function due to environmental factors (heat, pH, chemicals).

Transcription & Translation

Transcription (nucleus): DNA is copied into mRNA. RNA polymerase builds mRNA using DNA as a template.
Translation (cytoplasm): mRNA is translated into a protein sequence, at ribosomes, using tRNA and rRNA.

Monomers vs. Polymers

Monomers: Small units that form larger molecules. (e.g., amino acids, nucleotides)
Polymers: Larger molecules made up of repeating monomers. (e.g., proteins, DNA)

DNA & RNA Structure

DNA: Double-stranded helix; nucleotides with deoxyribose sugar, phosphate, and bases (A, T, C, G).
RNA: Single-stranded; nucleotides with ribose sugar, phosphate, and bases (A, U, C, G).

Gene vs. Chromosome

Gene: A section of DNA coding for a specific protein.
Chromosome: A long DNA structure containing many genes.

Prokaryotic Cell Division

Binary fission: Prokaryotic cells divide, replicating DNA, and splitting into two identical daughter cells.

DNA Replication

Copies DNA before cell division.
Key enzymes: Helicase (unwinds DNA), Polymerase (synthesizes new strand), Ligase (joins fragments).

Base Pairing Rules

DNA: A with T, C with G
RNA: A with U, C with G

Elements of Life

Essential elements: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S).

Atom and Atomic Structure

Atoms are composed of protons (positive), neutrons (neutral), and electrons (negative).
Atomic number: Number of protons. Mass number: Sum of protons and neutrons.

Bonds

Hydrogen bond: Weak bond between H and an electronegative atom (O, N).
Ionic bond: Electron transfer forms charged ions.
Polar covalent bond: Unequal electron sharing.
Nonpolar covalent bond: Equal electron sharing.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of autotrophs, heterotrophs, and their roles in ecosystems. This quiz also covers ATP and the process of photosynthesis, highlighting the importance of energy transfer in biological systems. Test your knowledge on producers, consumers, and decomposers!