Bio 101 Unit 2 Exam Knowledge Check Ultimate Study Guide

What is energy defined as in biological terms?

Energy is the ability to do work or bring about a change.

Who captures solar energy to synthesize organic nutrients?

Photosynthesizers such as plants, algae, and cyanobacteria capture solar energy.

What are the two primary forms of energy?

Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy.

What is kinetic energy?

The energy of motion, like water flowing over a waterfall.

What is potential energy?

Stored energy that has the capacity to do work not currently being utilized.

What is chemical energy?

A specific form of potential energy present in organic biomolecules.

What does the First Law of Thermodynamics state?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.

What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

Energy transformations result in a loss of usable energy, often as nonusable heat.

What is entropy?

The measure of randomness or disorganization in a system.

What are exergonic reactions?

Spontaneous reactions that release energy, with a negative change in free energy.

What are endergonic reactions?

Nonspontaneous reactions that require energy input, resulting in a positive change in free energy.

What is ATP?

Adenosine Triphosphate, the energy currency of the cell.

How is energy released from ATP?

Through hydrolysis of the terminal phosphate group, releasing energy.

What is the primary function of coupled reactions?

Linking exergonic reactions to drive endergonic reactions at the same site.

What are enzymes?

Biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed.

What is activation energy?

The initial energy required to destabilize chemical bonds and initiate a reaction.

What is feedback inhibition?

When the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits the pathway by acting on the first enzyme.

What are redox reactions?

Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons between molecules.

What role do NAD+ and FAD play in cellular respiration?

They are coenzymes that accept high-energy electrons during oxidation.

What is glycolysis?

The anaerobic process that breaks down glucose into two pyruvate molecules.

What are the byproducts of alcoholic fermentation?

Ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide.

What is the primary outcome of the Calvin cycle?

Production of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) for carbohydrate synthesis.

What is the overall equation for cellular respiration?

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (ATP + heat).