BIOL 1406 Unit 3 Review

This set of flashcards covers key topics from the lecture notes for the BIOL 1406 Unit 3 Review on Energy, Metabolism, Cellular Respiration, and Photosynthesis.

What is energy?

Energy is the ability to do work.

What is potential energy?

Potential energy is stored energy based on position.

What is kinetic energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

It states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Why is it called the law of conservation of energy?

Because it describes how energy is conserved in any transformation.

What is the second law of thermodynamics?

When energy changes from one form to another, some energy is released as heat.

Where does energy flow into the biosphere from?

Energy primarily flows into the biosphere from the sun.

What type of energy is stored in chemical bonds?

Potential energy is stored in chemical bonds.

What type of energy is released when chemical bonds are broken?

Kinetic energy is released when chemical bonds are broken.

What does OIL RIG stand for?

OIL RIG stands for Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain.

What is an anabolic reaction?

An anabolic reaction builds larger molecules from smaller ones.

What is a catabolic reaction?

A catabolic reaction breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones.

What is an endergonic reaction?

An endergonic reaction requires energy input.

What is an exergonic reaction?

An exergonic reaction releases energy.

What is metabolism?

Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions in an organism.

Endergonic reactions are ___, and catabolic reactions are ___.

Endergonic reactions are anabolic, and catabolic reactions are exergonic.

Which type of reaction has more free energy in products than reactants?

Endergonic reactions have more free energy in products than reactants.

What does ATP stand for?

ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate.

Where is the most potential energy stored in ATP?

The most potential energy in ATP is stored in the phosphate bonds.

What is the chemical equation for ATP hydrolysis?

ATP + H2O → ADP + Pi + energy.

Is ATP hydrolysis endergonic or exergonic?

ATP hydrolysis is exergonic.

What is activation energy?

Activation energy is the energy required to start a chemical reaction.

What is a catalyst?

A catalyst is a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed.

What is an inorganic catalyst?

An inorganic catalyst is a catalyst that does not contain carbon.

What is an organic catalyst?

An organic catalyst is typically an enzyme made of proteins.

What is an enzyme?

An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up reactions.

What is a substrate?

A substrate is the reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon.

What is an active site?

An active site is the region on an enzyme where the substrate binds.

How can you speed up an enzyme-catalyzed reaction?

You can speed it up by increasing the concentration of the substrate or enzyme.

What is the relationship between temperature and enzymatic activity?

Enzymatic activity generally increases with temperature until it reaches an optimal point.

What is an inhibitor?

An inhibitor is a substance that decreases the activity of an enzyme.

What is a competitive inhibitor?

A competitive inhibitor competes with the substrate for the active site of the enzyme.

What is a noncompetitive or allosteric inhibitor?

A noncompetitive inhibitor binds to a different site on the enzyme and alters its activity.

What is a cofactor?

A cofactor is a non-protein component that assists enzymes.

What is a coenzyme?

A coenzyme is a specific type of cofactor that is an organic molecule.

What is an allosteric enzyme?

An allosteric enzyme is regulated by molecules that bind to sites other than the active site.

What are allosteric activators and inhibitors?

Allosteric activators enhance enzyme activity, while allosteric inhibitors reduce it.

What does aerobic respiration require?

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and occurs in the mitochondria.

What does fermentation not require?

Fermentation does not require oxygen.

What is an electron carrier?

An electron carrier is a molecule that can accept and donate electrons.

What are two electron carriers used in aerobic cellular respiration?

NAD+ and FAD are two electron carriers used in aerobic cellular respiration.

What is the chemical equation for cellular respiration?

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy.

What are the 4 parts of aerobic cell respiration?

Glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

What is glycolysis?

Glycolysis is the breakdown of glucose into two pyruvate molecules.

Where does glycolysis occur in the cell?

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm.

What is meant by glycolysis making net 2 ATP per glucose?

It means that 2 ATP are used and 4 ATP are produced, resulting in a net gain of 2 ATP.

What is pyruvate oxidation?

Pyruvate oxidation is the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA.

Where does pyruvate oxidation occur in the cell?

Pyruvate oxidation occurs in the mitochondria.

What gas is made during pyruvate oxidation?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is made during pyruvate oxidation.

Is NADH made during pyruvate oxidation?

Yes, NADH is made during pyruvate oxidation.

What is the citric acid cycle?

The citric acid cycle is a series of reactions that produces energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

When does glucose become fully catabolized?

Glucose is fully catabolized after completing glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle.

What is oxidative phosphorylation?

Oxidative phosphorylation is the process of generating ATP using the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

What is the electron transport chain?

The electron transport chain is a series of protein complexes that transfer electrons and pump protons.

Where do H+ ions go in the mitochondria during the electron transport chain?

H+ ions are pumped into the intermembrane space of the mitochondria.

What is the final electron acceptor of the electron transport chain?

Oxygen (O2) is the final electron acceptor.

What molecule is made when the final electron acceptor receives electrons and H+?

Water (H2O) is made when the final electron acceptor receives electrons and H+.

What is chemiosmosis?

Chemiosmosis is the movement of protons across a membrane to generate ATP.

What protein is used to make ATP in chemiosmosis?

ATP synthase is the protein used to make ATP in chemiosmosis.

How many ATP are made in just oxidative phosphorylation per molecule of glucose?

About 26 to 28 ATP are made in oxidative phosphorylation per molecule of glucose.

How many ATP are made in all of aerobic cellular respiration per molecule of glucose?

About 30 to 32 ATP are made in total during aerobic cellular respiration.

What is the first step of anaerobic respiration (fermentation)?

The first step is glycolysis.

What step is shared between anaerobic and aerobic respiration?

Glycolysis is the step shared between anaerobic and aerobic respiration.

What is alcohol fermentation?

Alcohol fermentation is the process where pyruvate is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide.

What happens to electron carriers during fermentation?

Electron carriers are regenerated during fermentation to allow glycolysis to continue.

What is lactic acid fermentation?

Lactic acid fermentation is the process where pyruvate is converted into lactic acid.

Where and when does lactic acid fermentation occur?

Lactic acid fermentation occurs in muscle cells during anaerobic conditions.

What types of macromolecules can be broken down to be used in aerobic respiration?

Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins can all be broken down to produce ATP in aerobic respiration.

What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

What are autotrophs (producers)?

Autotrophs are organisms that produce their own food from sunlight or inorganic substances.

What are heterotrophs (consumers)?

Heterotrophs are organisms that obtain their food by consuming other organisms.

What are photoautotrophs?

Photoautotrophs are organisms that use light energy to synthesize organic compounds.

Where in plants does photosynthesis occur?

Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells.

What is the function of the vein in leaves?

The vein transports water and nutrients throughout the leaf.

What is the function of the epidermis in leaves?

The epidermis protects the leaf and helps reduce water loss.

What is the function of guard cells in leaves?

Guard cells regulate the opening and closing of stomata to control gas exchange.

What is the function of stomata in leaves?

Stomata are pores that allow gas exchange between the leaf and the environment.

What is the difference between stoma and stroma?

Stoma refers to the pores on the leaf surface, while stroma is the fluid inside chloroplasts.

What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

What is a photosystem?

A photosystem is a complex of proteins and pigments that absorb light energy.

What pigment is located in photosystems?

Chlorophyll is the primary pigment located in photosystems.

Where are photosystems within the chloroplast?

Photosystems are located in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.

What is light?

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye.

What is a particle of light called?

A particle of light is called a photon.

What is the relationship between light wavelength and energy?

Shorter wavelengths have higher energy, and longer wavelengths have lower energy.

What does it mean to absorb light?

Absorbing light means taking in light energy and converting it to chemical energy.

What does it mean to transmit light?

Transmitting light means allowing light to pass through without being absorbed.

What does it mean to reflect light?

Reflecting light means bouncing back light energy instead of absorbing it.

What is a pigment?

A pigment is a molecule that absorbs specific wavelengths of light.

Why is chlorophyll considered a pigment?

Chlorophyll is considered a pigment because it absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

What are carotenoids?

Carotenoids are pigments that provide orange and yellow colors in plants.

What is chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is a green pigment essential for photosynthesis.

Describe the absorption spectra for chlorophyll a and b.

Chlorophyll a absorbs blue-violet and red light, while chlorophyll b absorbs blue and orange light.

Why do some plants have different pigments depending on the season?

Different pigments allow plants to optimize light absorption in varying light conditions.

What is carbon fixation? Give an example.

Carbon fixation is the process of converting carbon dioxide into organic compounds; an example is the Calvin cycle.

What are the light reactions?

The light reactions are the first stage of photosynthesis that captures light energy to produce ATP and NADPH.

Where do light reactions occur in the chloroplast?

Light reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast.

What is used during the light reactions?

Water, light energy, and ADP + Pi are used during the light reactions.

What is made during the light reactions?

ATP, NADPH, and oxygen are produced during the light reactions.

What part of photosynthesis is similar to the electron transport chain?

The light reactions are similar to the electron transport chain.