Biology 41 Chapters 6/7 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How are cell respiration and photosynthesis similar and different?

Both processes involve water, carbon dioxide, glucose, and oxygen. They are different because cellular respiration takes glucose and oxygen to produce ATP, carbon dioxide, and water, while photosynthesis takes carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen.

Why must our cells convert the chemical energy of food into ATP?

Cells convert chemical energy from food into ATP because all living things depend on transformations of energy to perform biological functions.

What does 'redox' stand for and how do these reactions work?

Redox stands for oxidation-reduction reactions, which involve a transfer of electrons between two species.

What is glycolysis?

Glycolysis means 'splitting of sugars' into two three-carbon molecules called pyruvates. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Krebs cycle?

The Krebs cycle, or citric acid cycle, extracts energy from sugar by breaking it down to CO2 and converts pyruvic acid into Acetyl-CoA. Signup and view all the answers

What is the electron transport chain (ETC)?

The electron transport chain takes free electrons and uses their energy to pump hydrogen ions across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Signup and view all the answers

Why is NADH important, what does it do?

NADH is important as it acts like an electron shuttle, picking up electrons and transporting them where they are needed. Signup and view all the answers

How many carbons are in glucose, pyruvic acid, and Acetyl-CoA?

Glucose has 6 carbons, pyruvic acid has 3 carbons, and Acetyl-CoA has 2 carbons. Signup and view all the answers

What are the roles of electrons and hydrogen ions in the ETC?

Electrons are transferred along the chain, while hydrogen ions (protons) are pumped across a membrane to create a concentration gradient, releasing energy when they flow back. Signup and view all the answers

How does ATP synthase work?

ATP synthase operates like a turbine in the mitochondria, producing ATP as it is powered by the flow of electrons from food to oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

How many ATP are produced during each stage of cell respiration?

2 ATP are produced from glycolysis, 2 from the Krebs cycle, and about 34 from the electron transport chain, totaling approximately 38 ATP. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of oxygen in cellular respiration?

Oxygen acts as the terminal electron acceptor, allowing the electron transport chain to function and drive cellular respiration. Signup and view all the answers

How is a field an energy plantation?

A field acts as an energy plantation because living solar panels (plants) capture sunlight to produce food. Signup and view all the answers

Where are chloroplasts found in plants and what are thylakoids?

Chloroplasts are concentrated in the interior cells of leaves, while thylakoids are interconnected membranous sacs within the stroma. Signup and view all the answers

What creates high energy electrons and why are they important?

Photosynthesis boosts electrons uphill, which are important for binding hydrogen ions to form NADPH. Signup and view all the answers

What is the light reaction and dark reaction in photosynthesis?

The light reaction converts solar energy into ATP and NADH, while the dark reaction (Calvin Cycle) makes sugars from CO2. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of energy conversion takes place during photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis converts solar energy (radiation) into chemical energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll absorbs light energy, providing energy for photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

What are photosystems?

Photosystems are light-gathering complexes where pigments absorb photons and transfer energy during photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

How is the Calvin cycle a sugar factory?

The Calvin cycle uses CO2, ATP, and NADPH to produce energy-rich sugar molecules like G3P. Signup and view all the answers

What are C3, C4, and CAM plants?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

How does the greenhouse effect work?

The greenhouse effect warms the atmosphere and is caused by atmospheric CO2, which is a key contributor to climate change. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cell Respiration vs. Photosynthesis

Both processes utilize water, carbon dioxide, glucose, and oxygen, producing energy in different forms.
Cellular respiration breaks down glucose with oxygen, producing ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.
Photosynthesis combines carbon dioxide and water using solar energy to form glucose, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
Cellular respiration inputs: glucose and oxygen; Photosynthesis inputs: carbon dioxide and water.
Autotrophs create organic matter independently, while heterotrophs must consume organic material for nutrients.

Importance of ATP in Cells

ATP is the main energy currency for all living organisms, crucial for energy transformations.
Cellular respiration, an aerobic process, converts food's chemical energy into ATP.
Oxygen inhaled supports cellular respiration; carbon dioxide is expelled as a waste product.

Redox Reactions

Redox stands for oxidation-reduction, involving electron transfer between species.
Reduction refers to gaining electrons, while oxidation denotes losing electrons.
Oxidation states reflect electron transfer occurring in chemical compounds.

Glycolysis

"Splitting of sugars" to create two three-carbon molecules called pyruvates.
NADH, an electron carrier, is produced via high-energy electrons from pyruvates.

Krebs Cycle

Also known as citric acid cycle, it further processes products from glycolysis.
Breaks down pyruvic acid to carbon dioxide, extracting energy.
Converts pyruvate to Acetyl-CoA, enabling further ATP production.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

Transports electrons, producing ATP by pumping hydrogen ions across mitochondrial membranes.
The concentration gradient created stores potential energy, similar to a dam.

Role of NADH

Functions as an electron shuttle, transporting electrons to necessary locations for energy production.

Carbon Content

Glucose contains 6 carbons, pyruvic acid has 3 carbons, and Acetyl-CoA contains 2 carbons.

Role of Electrons and Hydrogen Ions in ETC

Hydrogen ions (protons) create a concentration gradient; their flow back through the membrane releases energy.

Function of ATP Synthase

Structures resembling turbines in mitochondria produce ATP using energy from electron transfers.

ATP Production Summary

Glycolysis produces 2 ATP, Krebs cycle generates 2 ATP, and electron transport yields approximately 34 ATP, totaling 38.

Role of Oxygen in Cellular Respiration

Oxygen acts as a terminal electron acceptor; its absence halts electron movement in the ETC and cellular respiration.

Chloroplasts and Photosynthesis

Chloroplasts are located in leaf mesophyll cells; thylakoids increase surface area for photosynthetic reactions.
Photosystems consist of pigments that absorb light energy, crucial for the photosynthetic process.

Energy Conversion in Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis has two stages: light reactions convert solar to chemical energy, while dark reactions synthesize sugars.
Sunlight is a form of electromagnetic energy necessary for the process.

Chlorophyll's Function

Acts as a solar collector, absorbing light energy needed for photosynthesis.

Calvin Cycle

Functions as a sugar factory within chloroplasts, using CO2, ATP, and NADPH to produce glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P).
G3P is a precursor for glucose and other organic compounds.

Types of Plants Based on Carbon Fixation

C3 plants directly absorb CO2 from air; prevalent and widely distributed.
C4 plants, like cacti, adapt to conserve water by closing stomata yet perform photosynthesis efficiently.
CAM plants open stomata at night for CO2 collection, thriving in arid climates.

Greenhouse Effect

Caused by atmospheric CO2, the greenhouse effect warms the atmosphere.
Associated with climate change, it is exacerbated by deforestation.

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Explore the key concepts of cell respiration and photosynthesis with these flashcards from Biology 41, Chapters 6 and 7. Understand their similarities and differences in processes and products. Perfect for quick revision and mastering essential biological concepts.