Enzymes and Photosynthesis

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Questions and Answers

Explain how an enzyme's structure is critical to its function, using the 'lock and key' model. What happens if the 'lock' is damaged?

The enzyme's active site has a specific shape that only fits specific substrates, like a key in a lock. If the enzyme's shape is changed (denatured), the substrate can't bind, and the enzyme will not work.

During photosynthesis, what happens during the light-dependent stage and how does this stage support the Calvin Cycle?

During the light-dependent stage, water is split using light energy and oxygen is released. Then energy (ATP) is produced. This energy (ATP) is then used in the Calvin Cycle to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.

Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of their requirements, products, and overall energy output. Which process is more efficient?

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and produces carbon dioxide, water, and a large amount of ATP. Anaerobic respiration doesn't need oxygen, produces different byproducts (like lactic acid or alcohol), and yields far less ATP. Aerobic respiration is more efficient.

A plant is placed in a sealed container with a limited supply of carbon dioxide. How will this affect the rate of photosynthesis, and what specific part of the process is directly impacted?

The rate of photosynthesis will decrease. The Calvin Cycle is directly impacted because carbon dixoide is an essential reactant and therefore glucose production will be limited. Signup and view all the answers

How do changes in temperature and pH affect enzyme activity, and why are these factors important in maintaining biological functions?

High temperatures and extreme pH levels can cause enzymes to denature, losing their shape and function. This is important because enzymes need to maintain a very specific shape in order to properly catalyze reactions. Significant alterations can disrupt metabolic processes. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how an enzyme's structure is critical to its function, using the 'lock and key' model and the concept of denaturation.

Enzymes have a specific active site where substrates bind (lock and key). If the enzyme denatures due to high temperature or extreme pH, the shape of the active site changes, preventing substrate binding and thus stopping the reaction. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the roles of the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis, and explain how they are interdependent.

Light-dependent reactions use sunlight to split water, producing ATP and oxygen. The Calvin Cycle uses the ATP from the light-dependent reactions to convert carbon dioxide into glucose. The Calvin Cycle relies on the products of the light-dependent reactions. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration, noting the reactants, products, and relative amounts of energy (ATP) produced by each.

Both break down glucose to produce energy. Aerobic respiration uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide, water, and significantly more ATP. Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen, producing lactic acid (in animals) or alcohol and carbon dioxide (in yeast) and less ATP. Signup and view all the answers

If a plant is placed in an environment with ample light and water but a limited supply of carbon dioxide, how would this affect its ability to perform photosynthesis and produce glucose?

Limited carbon dioxide would reduce the plant's ability to carry out the Calvin Cycle. This would decrease the production of glucose, as carbon dioxide is a key reactant in this process. Signup and view all the answers

During intense exercise, muscle cells may switch from aerobic to anaerobic respiration. Explain why this switch occurs and what consequences it has at a cellular level.

During intense exercise, the demand for energy may exceed the oxygen supply, forcing muscle cells to switch to anaerobic respiration. This results in the production of lactic acid, leading to muscle fatigue, and less ATP produced overall. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how an enzyme's function can be disrupted by changes in temperature or pH, and why this disruption affects its ability to catalyze reactions.

High temperatures or extreme pH levels can denature an enzyme by altering its shape, particularly the active site. This prevents the substrate from binding correctly, thus inhibiting or stopping the enzyme's catalytic activity. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the roles of the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis. How are these two stages interconnected?

In light-dependent reactions, water is split using sunlight to produce ATP and oxygen. The Calvin Cycle uses the ATP generated in the first stage to convert carbon dioxide into glucose, which is the plant's food. The ATP produced during the light-dependent stage provides the energy needed for the Calvin Cycle. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Include in your answer each type of respiration's inputs, outputs and the relative amount of energy (ATP) each produces.

Aerobic respiration uses glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and a large amount of ATP. Anaerobic respiration, which doesn't require oxygen, breaks down glucose into lactic acid (in animals) or alcohol and carbon dioxide (in yeast), yielding only a small amount of ATP. Signup and view all the answers

If a plant is placed in an environment with plentiful light, water and carbon dioxide, but the temperature is significantly below its optimal range, how would this affect the rate of photosynthesis and why?

Low temperatures would slow down the rate of photosynthesis because the enzymes involved in the process will not function efficiently. Despite available resources the enzymes responsible for catalyzing photosynthetic reactions will operate at a reduced rate, thus reducing the overall efficiency. Signup and view all the answers

During intense exercise, muscle cells may switch from aerobic to anaerobic respiration. Explain why this occurs, and what the consequence of this switch is for the muscle cells.

During intense exercise, muscle cells may not receive enough oxygen to keep up with the energy demand so they switch to anaerobic respiration to continue producing ATP. This leads to the production of lactic acid, which can cause muscle fatigue and soreness. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Enzymes

Proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body.

Active site

The specific region of an enzyme where substrates bind.