Cell Respiration Lecture Notes

Flashcards about Cell Respiration

What is ATP?

Adenosine triphosphate, a ribonucleotide that distributes energy within cells.

Why is ATP a good molecule for energy currency?

Energy is stored in the phosphate bonds, can be easily released, and adenine/ribose allows attachment to enzymes.

List three life processes within cells that ATP supplies with energy.

Active transport, synthesis of macromolecules (anabolism), and movement of the cell or cell components

Describe the energy transfers between ATP and ADP.

Energy is released by hydrolysis of ATP to ADP and phosphate, and energy is required to synthesize ATP from ADP and phosphate.

What is cell respiration?

A system for producing ATP within the cell using energy released from carbon compounds like glucose and fatty acids.

What happens during biosynthesis?

The assembly of organic polymers requires ATP hydrolysis in anabolic reactions.

How is ATP used in active transport?

ATP is required to move material against a concentration gradient, and for vesicular transport (endocytosis/exocytosis).

How is ATP used in movement within the cell?

ATP is used for segregating chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis, and for muscle contraction.

What are coenzymes?

Non-protein organic compounds that facilitate enzyme reactions; ATP is a coenzyme that adds chemical energy to reactions.

How is ATP replenished?

Through the consumption of nutrients that help reform the bond by adding a phosphate

What are the main substrates for cell respiration?

Glucose and fatty acids.

What is the result of cell respiration?

Carbon compounds are broken apart to release energy to regenerate ATP from ADP.

In cellular respiration, what does glucose convert into?

Glucose is converted into CO2 + H2O to produce ATP

What is glycolysis?

Conversion of glucose to pyruvate by stepwise reactions with a net yield of ATP and reduced NAD.

What happens to pyruvate during anaerobic respiration?

Pyruvate is converted to lactate (or ethanol) as a means of regenerating NAD+.

What is fermentation and its significance?

It regenerates NAD+ without making any ATP.

How can the rates of cell respiration be calculated?

Measure ATP produced, CO2 produced, glucose used up, or oxygen used up, and divide by time.

What factors affect the rate of cell respiration?

Enzyme factors (temperature, pH), substrate factors (concentration of glucose/oxygen), and inhibitors.

How can cell respiration be measured?

Using a respirometer, which measures consumption of oxygen.