Life Processes: Cellular Respiration & Photosynthesis

Study Notes

Life Process Study Notes

Cellular Respiration

Definition: Process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.
Stages:
1. Glycolysis:
  - Occurs in the cytoplasm.
  - Glucose is broken down into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH.
2. Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle):
  - Takes place in the mitochondria.
  - Pyruvate is further broken down, producing NADH, FADH2, ATP, and CO2.
3. Electron Transport Chain (ETC):
  - Occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
  - Electrons from NADH and FADH2 are transferred through proteins, leading to the production of a large amount of ATP and water.

Photosynthesis

Definition: Process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.
Equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Stages:
1. Light-dependent Reactions:
  - Occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.
  - Capture light energy, producing ATP and NADPH, and releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
2. Calvin Cycle (Light-independent Reactions):
  - Takes place in the stroma of chloroplasts.
  - Uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 into glucose.

Respiration

Definition: Biological process through which organisms exchange gases (O2 intake and CO2 expulsion).
Types of Respiration:
1. Aerobic Respiration:
  - Requires oxygen.
  - Produces more ATP compared to anaerobic respiration.
2. Anaerobic Respiration:
  - Occurs in the absence of oxygen.
  - Produces less ATP and results in byproducts like lactic acid (in animals) or ethanol and CO2 (in yeast).

Relationships

Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis:
- Photosynthesis generates glucose and oxygen, which are essential for cellular respiration.
- Cellular respiration produces carbon dioxide and water, which are used in photosynthesis.
Both processes are critical for energy flow in ecosystems and maintain atmospheric balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Cellular Respiration

A process that converts glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP) within cells.
Releases carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.
Involves three main stages: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chain.

Glycolysis

Occurs in the cytoplasm of cells.
Breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH.

Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)

Takes place in the mitochondria of cells.
Further breaks down pyruvate, producing NADH, FADH2, ATP, and CO2.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

Occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Electrons from NADH and FADH2 are transferred through proteins, generating a significant amount of ATP and water as the final product.

Photosynthesis

Process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.
Equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Involves two main stages: light-dependent reactions and Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions).

Light-dependent Reactions

Occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.
Capture light energy, producing ATP and NADPH, and releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

Calvin Cycle (Light-independent Reactions)

Takes place in the stroma of chloroplasts.
Uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 into glucose.

Respiration

Biological process through which organisms exchange gases: oxygen intake and carbon dioxide expulsion.
Two main types: aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.

Aerobic Respiration

Requires oxygen to function.
Produces more ATP compared to anaerobic respiration.

Anaerobic Respiration

Occurs in the absence of oxygen.
Produces less ATP and results in byproducts like lactic acid (in animals) or ethanol and CO2 (in yeast).

Relationships

Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are interconnected processes that maintain balance in ecosystems.
Photosynthesis creates glucose and oxygen, essential for cellular respiration.
Cellular respiration produces carbon dioxide and water, used in photosynthesis.
These processes are critical for energy flow in ecosystems and maintain the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Description

Explore the key concepts of cellular respiration and photosynthesis in this quiz. Discover the stages of energy production in cells, from glycolysis to electron transport, as well as how plants convert light into chemical energy. Test your knowledge on these essential biological processes.