Biological Processes and Structures

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cellular respiration, photosynthesis, metabolic pathways, and tissue structure.

Exergonic reaction

A reaction that releases energy, where ATP and heat are products.

Cellular respiration

The process described by the equation C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> ATP + 6CO2 + 6H2O.

Products of photosynthesis

Substances produced by photosynthesis; does not include water.

Glycolysis

A metabolic process that occurs in the presence or absence of oxygen.

Cytosol

The location where glycolysis takes place.

Lactate fermentation

A process that only occurs in anaerobic metabolism of glucose.

Citric acid cycle

A metabolic cycle that produces ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

Mitochondrial matrix

The location where the citric acid cycle takes place.

Stroma

The location where the Calvin cycle takes place.

Thylakoid membrane

The location where the electron transport chain takes place.

ATP production during glycolysis

2 ATP are used, 4 ATP are created, netting 2 ATP profit.

H+ ion gradient

Formed across the inner mitochondrial membrane as electrons are donated by NADH.

Pyruvate

The product of glucose breakdown during glycolysis.

Comparative concentrations of inhaled and exhaled air

Inhaled air has more oxygen and less carbon dioxide than exhaled air.

Lactate

The molecule checked to determine if muscles are functioning anaerobically.

Fermentation in yeast

Performed to produce NAD+, allowing glycolysis to continue in the absence of oxygen.

Ethanol

A product produced by yeast during fermentation.

Electron transport chain (ETC)

A series of redox reactions where electrons are transferred to O2 as the final electron acceptor.

Fermentation vs aerobic respiration

Fermentation is not a more efficient form of energy production than aerobic respiration.

Photosynthetic energy source

The ultimate source of energy for photosynthetic reactions in a plant is the sun.

Autotroph

An organism that forms organic substances from simple inorganic substances.

Photoautotroph

An organism that gets its energy directly from the sun.

Heteroautotroph

An organism that gets its energy from consuming other organisms.

Chemical equation of photosynthesis

Energy should be placed on the left side, characterizing it as an endergonic reaction.

Chloroplast

The organelle in a plant where photosynthesis occurs.

Stomata

The main structure for gas exchange in plants.

Blue light vs green light effect on plant growth

Increased growth occurs in blue light, while no growth happens in green light.

Carotenoid

The pigment responsible for the red-yellow coloration in leaves during autumn.

Mitochondria and chloroplasts comparison

Both generate ATP via a H+ electrochemical gradient.

Lysis of water

Occurs at photosystem II during photosynthesis.

Oxygen during photosynthesis

Released as waste during the process.

H+ ion addition to NADP

Occurs at photosystem I during photosynthesis.

Electron transfer

Electrons are passed along the thylakoid membrane in the electron transport chain.

Pigments in photosynthesis

Capture and absorb light energy necessary for the process.

Calvin cycle requirements

Both ATP and NADPH are required for the Calvin cycle to happen.

Calvin cycle reactants

All molecules required include CO2, NADPH, and ATP.

CAM Plants

Type of plants that can only produce CO2 for the Calvin cycle during the day.

Photon effect on electrons

Photons can boost an electron to a higher energy state.

Light-dependent reaction purpose

To produce NADPH and ATP.

Byproducts of photosynthesis

A plant performing photosynthesis will produce oxygen and consume carbon dioxide.

Blue light energy comparison

Blue light has more energy than red light.

CO2 in Calvin cycle

CO2 binds to RUBP in the Calvin cycle.

Multicellular organism with cellulose

An organism with organelles and walls mainly composed of cellulose is a plant.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) function

Does not provide an important source of energy for organisms.

Skin treatment for flexibility

Cellulose could be injected beneath the skin to make it more flexible.

Major ECM macromolecules

Polysaccharides and proteins are the major components of the extracellular matrix.

Elasticity in tissues

Tissues like lungs are abundant in elastin to allow expansion and contraction.

Chitin

An important ECM component for the exoskeleton of many insects and fish.

Cellulose in plant cell walls

Plant cell walls contain cellulose.

Disrupted tight junctions effect

Can cause bacteria to move from intestines to bloodstream, leading to infection.

Gap junctions comparison

Similar to plasmodesmata in plant cells.

Tissue definition

A group of cells with similar structure and function is called a tissue.

Cellular loss during development

Cells between phalanges are lost by apoptosis.

Skin graft composition

A skin graft in a burn patient contains epithelial tissue.

Muscle tissue in the heart and blood vessels

The heart, skeletal muscles, and blood vessels indeed contain muscle tissue.

Prominent plant tissue type

The most prominent tissue type in plants is not the dermis.