Energy Generation in Mitochondria and Chloroplasts

These flashcards cover key concepts related to energy generation in mitochondria and chloroplasts, as discussed in the lecture.

What are the two types of metabolic pathways in cells?

Catabolic and anabolic pathways.

What does catabolism primarily involve?

The release of energy stored in the chemical bonds of food molecules.

What do anabolic pathways use energy for?

To drive the synthesis of new molecules.

What is a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions known as?

A linked pathway.

What is the primary way that cells can convert energy?

From one form to another.

What do photosynthetic organisms use to synthesize organic molecules?

Sunlight.

What happens to most of the energy released in catabolism?

It is dissipated as heat.

How do cells obtain energy?

By the oxidation of organic molecules.

What do oxidation and reduction chemical reactions primarily involve?

Electron transfers.

What major law of thermodynamics influences biological order?

The second law of thermodynamics.

How can cells maintain biological order?

By releasing heat energy.

What are biological structures characterized by?

High order.

What creates a proton gradient in mitochondria and chloroplasts?

An electron transport system.

In which part of the cell does oxidative phosphorylation occur?

In mitochondria.

What forms do plants store sunlight energy in during photosynthesis?

Activated carriers like ATP and NADPH.

What do ATP and NADPH participate in?

The second stage of photosynthesis to form chemical bonds.

What are complementary processes in energy generation?

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

What gas do plants uptake during photosynthesis?

CO2.

What do animals and microorganisms release during respiration?

CO2.

What method do cells use to synthesize ATP?

Chemiosmotic coupling.

What is unique about mitochondria and chloroplasts?

They contain their own DNA and machinery to replicate it.

How are mitochondria dynamically structured?

They can change in structure, location, and number.

What structural features do mitochondria possess?

An outer membrane, an inner membrane, and two internal compartments.

What is generated during the citric acid cycle?

High-energy electrons.

What drives ATP synthesis in mitochondria?

The steep electrochemical proton gradient.

What do motile mitochondria do in neurons?

Support Na+/K+ ATPases.

In which part of sperm are mitochondria located?

In the tail.

How do mitochondria typically appear under a microscope?

As elongated and tubular networks.

What is the function of Drp1 in mitochondria?

Regulates mitochondrial fission.

What happens if a battery's terminals are connected directly?

The energy will convert into heat.

What role does ATP play in muscle contraction?

Provides energy for contraction.

What kind of structure do mitochondria form in yeast cells?

A continuous network.

What is the impact of defects in mitochondrial transport?

Associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?

By incorporating carbon from CO2 into organic molecules.

How does electron transfer impact mitochondrial function?

It generates energy to pump protons.

What is the crucial outcome of the movement of electrons in mitochondria?

It is coupled with the pumping of protons.

What is a key product of the citric acid cycle?

High-energy electrons.

What is the significance of the proton gradient in cells?

It is used to drive ATP synthesis.

What type of proteins can be driven by the energy of electron transfer?

Molecular motors.

How are electron transport systems utilized in chloroplasts?

To generate a proton gradient for photosynthesis.

What happens to heat energy produced in cells?

It increases the disorder in the cell's surroundings.

What type of energy do cells harvest during photosynthesis?

Energy from sunlight.

What organelle divides through a process similar to bacterial division?

Mitochondria.

What structural feature helps mitochondria to maximize ATP production?

A steep electrochemical proton gradient.

What is the role of ATP synthase?

To produce ATP using the energy from the proton gradient.

During photosynthesis, where is light energy converted to chemical energy?

In chloroplasts.

What complicates the simplicity of oxidation and reduction reactions?

The multiple electron transfer steps involved.

What enzyme complexes pass electrons through the inner mitochondrial membrane?

Three large enzyme complexes.

What is one method to visualize mitochondria?

Fluorescent labeling.

What key process characterizes the chemistry of life?

The flow of electrons through pathways.