C1 - Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration (Updated 2024) PDF

C1 - Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration I can… Describe the differences between plant and animal cells Compare and contrast anabolic and catabolic forms of metabolism Outline the characteristics of a mitochondrion Outline the characteristics of a chloroplast Light Visible ligh...

C1 - Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration I can… Describe the differences between plant and animal cells Compare and contrast anabolic and catabolic forms of metabolism Outline the characteristics of a mitochondrion Outline the characteristics of a chloroplast Light Visible light: A type of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) Photons: A packet of light Solar energy: The ultimate source of energy for most living things ○ Special pigments in plants capture photons from solar energy to begin reactions that make up photosynthesis Photosynthesis 6 CO2(g) + 6 H2O(l) + energy 6 O 2(g) + C6H12O6(s) Photosynthesis: Traps energy from the sun and transforms it into glucose, which is an energy-rich carbohydrate Performed only by plants and other producers Energy conversion occurs in chloroplasts Is an anabolic pathway (more on this later) Cellular Respiration Cellular respiration: Causes cells to break down high-energy compounds (ex. glucose) and generate ATP ○ ATP does not exit plant ○ Performed by plants and animals (consumers) ATP is a direct source of energy for nearly all types of energy requiring activities of living organisms Energy conversion occurs in the mitochondria Is a catabolic pathway (more on this later)  Anabolic reaction Metabolic Pathways Anabolic: Require energy and build large molecules (endothermic) ○ Photosynthesis is anabolic because it makes glucose using the Sun’s energy Catabolic: Release energy and break down molecules Catabolic (exothermic) reaction ○ Cellular respiration is catabolic because it breaks down glucose into ATP Metabolic Pathways Enzymes: Biological catalysts that reduce the amount of startup energy needed for reactions in metabolic pathways ○ If absent, reactions couldn’t occur at temperatures at which living organisms thrive Animal vs. Plant Cells Three key organelles are found in plant cells that are absent in animal cells: Vacuoles: Store water Chloroplasts: Perform photosynthesis Cell wall: Provides support Chloroplasts Chloroplasts: A membrane bound organelle in a green plant and algal cells that carries out photosynthesis Contains a membrane system consisting of flattened sacs, called thylakoids Also contains: ○ Two membranes ○ Inner solution, called the stroma ○ Stacks of thylakoids (granum = singular, grana = plural) Chlorophyll Leaves are the primary photosynthetic organs of most plants Leaves contain chlorophyll, which gives plants their green colour Chlorophyll molecules trap solar energy and are bound to the thylakoid membrane Chlorophyll Plants have a high concentration of chlorophyll in the spring/summer Plants stop producing chlorophyll in the cooler months Chlorophyll organs begin to disassemble and break down (turn into yellow, red, brown colours) Mitochondria Mitochondria: The site of cellular respiration ○ This is why it’s called the “powerhouse” of the cell Called the “powerhouse” of the cell because cellular respiration occurs here! Scattered throughout cell’s cytoplasm Produce large amounts of ATP (main energy carrying molecule in living cells) Mitochondria The mitochondria is bound by an inner and outer membranes surrounding the matrix (fluid-filled region that contains proteins to break down glucose) Inner membrane has many deep infoldings (cristae) ○ The cristae increase the surface area for production of ATP!