biofuels and factors cellular respiration

how is cellular respiration is used for biofuel

biomass contains high sugar content that can be slowly released overtime to produce chemical energy

bioethanol

made from plants, that undergo fermentation to produce ethanol

biodiesel

made from plant oils that undergo transesterifcation

biogas

made through anaerobic digestion -> anaerobic fermentation (sub part) of feedstocks of bacteria that produce methane and CO2 gas

2 key factors that affect respiration

temperature

substrate (reactant) concentration

warmer temperature

molecules collide more increasing the chances of reactions

colder temperature

molecules move around less slows the rate of reaction

hot temperature

enzymes may denature and then not able to catalyse reactions reducing photorespiration

substrate concentration

reactant /substrate concentration is also dependent on the amount of reactants that are present

less glucose

less pyruvate initially produced, less overall energy less CO2 produced

less oxygen

less H+ and e- accepted, less ATP and unloaded coenzymes generated at ETC

rate plateau

cannot increase indefinitely, at some points, the enzymes that catalyse the reactions will become saturated and cannot catalyse anymore reactions

what are biofuels

alternatives to fossil fuels

eg sugar cane or corn

preparing biomass for biofuel and biogas use (2-3)

extraction: plant crushed for increased SA to draw out juice / glucose

clarification: treated with enzymes to breakdown into glucose, used in glycolysis

purification: micro organisms removed so no competition for fermentation

conditions to produce bio ethanol and biogas (4)

no oxygen

optimal pH (avoid denaturation)

optimal temp (avoid denaturation, high enough kinetic energy)

substrate concentration glucose