ap bio unit 3

What are enzymes and their primary function?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions.

What is the most common structure of enzymes?

Most enzymes are proteins.

What is the importance of the active site in an enzyme?

The active site interacts with the substrate, allowing the enzyme to facilitate reactions.

What happens to enzymes during biochemical reactions?

Enzymes are not chemically changed by the reaction and are reused.

What is activation energy?

Activation energy is the initial energy required for a reaction to occur.

How do enzymes affect activation energy?

Enzymes lower activation energy requirements, which accelerates the rate of reactions.

What can cause denaturation of an enzyme?

Changes in environmental temperature or pH can lead to denaturation.

What is the effect of substrate concentration on reaction rate?

Initial increases in substrate concentration increase reaction rate until saturation occurs.

What are competitive inhibitors?

Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site, competing with the substrate and potentially slowing reactions.

What are non-competitive inhibitors?

Non-competitive inhibitors bind to allosteric sites, changing enzyme activity without competing for the active site.

What is photophosphorylation?

Photophosphorylation is the process of generating ATP using light energy during photosynthesis.

What is glycolysis?

Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to produce ATP and NADH.

Where does pyruvate oxidation occur?

Pyruvate oxidation occurs in the mitochondria.

What is the role of the electron transport chain?

The electron transport chain transfers energy from electrons to create a proton gradient for ATP synthesis.

What are the end products of fermentation?

Fermentation produces byproducts like ethanol or lactic acid.

How is ATP generated from ADP?

Energy is released during the conversion of ATP to ADP when the bond between the second and third phosphate is broken.

What happens during the Krebs cycle?

The Krebs cycle releases carbon dioxide, synthesizes ATP, and produces NADH and FADH2.

How do living systems comply with the second law of thermodynamics?

Living systems require a constant input of energy to maintain order and avoid equilibrium.

What is the ultimate goal of the Calvin cycle reactions?

To produce organic molecules that plants need using the products from light reactions of photosynthesis.

What is the function of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll captures and converts sunlight into chemical energy through energization of electrons.