ADV Cell Energy and Transport

Cellular Process

activities that go on inside a cell that help an organism to survive

Photosynthesis

process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose

Chloroplast

organelle found in cells of plants and some other organisms that captures the energy from sunlight and converts it into chemical energy (photosynthesis)

Thylakoid

a membrane system found within chloroplasts that contains the components for photosynthesis

Stroma

fluid portion of the chloroplast; outside of the thylakoids

Lumen

the internal space enclosed by the thylakoid membranes within the chloroplast; contains water, ions, and various proteins

Chlorophyll

green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plants, algae, and some bacteria; absorbs light for photosynthesis

Cellular Respiration

process that releases energy (ATP) by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen

Mitochondria

an organelle found in most cells, in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production (ATP) occur

Inner membrane

membrane of the mitochondria that is the site of electron transport and chemiosmosis

Intermembrane Space

space between the inner and outer membrane of the mitochondria

Matrix

the innermost compartment of the mitochondrion and the site of the Krebs cycle reactions

Anaerobic Respiration

respiration in the absence of oxygen; produces lactic acid

Aerobic Respiration

respiration that requires oxygen and occurs in mitochondria; releases a large amount of ATP

Fermentation

anaerobic process by which cells release energy in the absence of oxygen; releases a very limited amount of ATP

Organelle

a cell structure that carries out a specific function within the cell

Reactant

a chemical substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction and usually undergoes change

Product

a substance that is produced in a chemical reaction

Oxygen

gas that enters the blood through the lungs and travels to the heart to be pumped via arteries to all body cells; vital for life

Carbon Dioxide

gas that is expelled from the body by the respiratory system; used by plants in photosynthesis

Glucose

a simple sugar that is an important source of energy

ATP

(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work

ADP

(adenosine diphosphate) compound that remains when a phosphate group is removed from ATP, releasing energy

Cell membrane aka Plasma membrane

semi-permeable phospholipid bilayer surrounding the cell

Permeable

penetrable; porous; allows certain molecules to pass through

Semi-permeable

allows some materials (not all) to pass through

Concentration Gradient

difference in the concentration of a substance from one location to another; i.e. inside a cell vs. outside a cell (across a membrane)

Homeostasis

maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose level or temperature

Passive Transport

the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy

Diffusion

movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration; does not require energy

Facilitated Diffusion

movement of specific molecules across cell membranes through protein channels; does not require energy

Protein Channels

proteins embedded in the membrane that allow larger molecules to pass through

Osmosis

diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane; water molecules move with the concentration gradient and does not require energy

Active Transport

the movement of materials through a cell membrane using energy

Protein Pumps

energy from ATP is used to pump small molecules and ions across the cell membrane; active transport

Endocytosis

process by which a cell takes material into the cell by infolding of the cell membrane creating a vesicle for transport

Exocytosis

a process by which the contents of a vesicle are released to the exterior through fusion of the vesicle with the cell membrane

Hypotonic Solution

a solution in which the solute concentration is less than the solute concentration inside a cell; hypo = low

Isotonic Solution

a solution in which the solute concentration is equal to the solute concentration inside a cell; iso = same

Hypertonic

a solution in which the solute concentration is higher than the solute concentration inside a cell; hyper = higher