AP Biology Unit 3 – Cellular Energetics: Ultimate Study Notes
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What is ATP and why is it important in cells?
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the cell’s main energy carrier used to power cellular work.
What happens when ATP is hydrolyzed?
ATP → ADP + Pi + energy.
What types of cellular work require ATP?
Active transport, synthesis of molecules, movement (muscle contraction), and cell signaling.
Why is ATP considered a “rechargeable battery”?
It can be broken down to release energy and then regenerated from ADP.
What is an enzyme?
A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.
What is the active site?
The region of an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.
What is a substrate?
The molecule an enzyme acts upon.
What is an enzyme-substrate complex?
The temporary complex formed when an enzyme binds its substrate.
What environmental factors affect enzyme activity?
Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and inhibitors.
What is denaturation?
When a protein loses its shape and function due to extreme conditions.
Difference between competitive and noncompetitive inhibitors?
Competitive bind the active site; noncompetitive bind elsewhere and change enzyme shape.
What is cellular respiration?
The process cells use to break down glucose to produce ATP.
What is the overall equation for cellular respiration?
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP.
What are the three main stages of cellular respiration?
Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, Electron Transport Chain.
Where does glycolysis occur?
Cytoplasm.
What does glycolysis produce?
2 pyruvate, 2 ATP (net), and 2 NADH.
Does glycolysis require oxygen?
No, it is anaerobic.
Where does the Krebs cycle occur?
Mitochondrial matrix.
What molecules are produced during the Krebs cycle?
CO₂, NADH, FADH₂, and ATP.
What is the purpose of NADH and FADH₂?
They carry high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain.
Where does the electron transport chain occur?
Inner mitochondrial membrane.
What is the role of oxygen in the ETC?
Oxygen is the final electron acceptor and forms water.
What is chemiosmosis?
The movement of protons through ATP synthase to produce ATP.
What enzyme produces ATP in the ETC?
ATP synthase.
What is fermentation?
A process that allows glycolysis to continue without oxygen by regenerating NAD⁺.
Two types of fermentation?
Lactic acid fermentation and alcohol fermentation.
Example of lactic acid fermentation?
Muscle cells during intense exercise.
Example of alcohol fermentation?
Yeast producing ethanol and CO₂.
What is photosynthesis?
The process organisms use to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.
What is the overall equation of photosynthesis?
6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
Where does photosynthesis occur?
Chloroplasts.
Where do light-dependent reactions occur?
Thylakoid membranes.
What do light reactions produce?
ATP, NADPH, and O₂.
What molecule is split during light reactions?
Water (H₂O).
Where does the Calvin cycle occur?
Stroma of the chloroplast.
What does the Calvin cycle produce?
Sugar (G3P) which can form glucose.
What molecules power the Calvin cycle?
ATP and NADPH from the light reactions.
How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration related?
Products of photosynthesis (glucose and O₂) are reactants for respiration.
What happens during oxidation and reduction?
Oxidation = loss of electrons; Reduction = gain of electrons.
What mnemonic helps remember oxidation and reduction?
OIL RIG (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain).
