AP Biology: Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis

What is cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is a process in which cells use oxygen and glucose to create energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

What are the three stages of cellular respiration?

The three stages of cellular respiration are glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

What is glycolysis?

Glycolysis is the first stage of cellular respiration, in which glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate and energy is released in the form of ATP.

What is the Krebs cycle?

The Krebs cycle is the second stage of cellular respiration, in which pyruvate is broken down into carbon dioxide and energy is released in the form of ATP and NADH.

What is the electron transport chain?

The electron transport chain is the third stage of cellular respiration, in which ATP is generated by the movement of electrons through a series of proteins in the inner membrane of the mitochondria.

What is the role of oxygen in Cellular Respiration?

Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, allowing the release of energy from the molecules broken down in the earlier stages of cellular respiration.

What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into energy-rich molecules such as glucose.

What are the two stages of Photosynthesis?

The two stages of photosynthesis are the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle.

What is the role of chlorophyll in Photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll is the molecule that absorbs light energy from the sun, which is then used to drive the reactions of photosynthesis.

Photosystem

A complex of proteins and pigments that capture light and form a reaction center in photosynthesis.

Chloroplast

Organelles in plant cells that contain chlorophyll and are responsible for photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll

A molecule in plants that absorbs light and is essential for photosynthesis.

Light Reactions

The first stage of photosynthesis in which light energy is absorbed and converted into chemical energy.

Carbon Dioxide

A gas that is taken in by plants during photosynthesis and used to produce sugars.

Stomata

Tiny openings in the leaves of plants that allow for the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Photosystem I and II

The two photosystems in photosynthesis, which absorb different wavelengths of light.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The conversion of energy from NADH and FADH2 into ATP

Electron Transport Chain

The process of transferring electrons from NADH and FADH2 to oxygen

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

The process of adding a phosphate group to a molecule, releasing energy in the form of ATP

Fermentation

The process of breaking down sugars without the use of oxygen, producing ATP, lactic acid, or alcohol

Citric Acid Cycle

The series of reactions that oxidize acetyl CoA and produce NADH, FADH2, and ATP

Pyruvate Oxidation

The conversion of pyruvate into acetyl coenzyme A