Biological Processes and Energy Transformations

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the biological processes, energy transformations, and cellular functions as discussed in the lecture.

Vacuole

The 'digestive system' of the cell; involved in storage of waste and water.

Mitochondria

Organelles responsible for cellular respiration and energy production.

Chloroplast

Organelles that conduct photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

Peroxisome

Helps in the metabolism of substances and breaks down toxic hydrogen peroxide.

Endosymbiont Theory

Theory that explains how a prokaryote may have ingested a mitochondria or chloroplast.

Amphipathic

A molecule that has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts.

Integral proteins

Proteins that span through the membrane.

Peripheral proteins

Proteins located on the cytosolic surface or ECM surface of the membrane.

Selective permeability

A property of cell membranes that only allows certain molecules to pass through.

Passive transport

Movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy.

Active transport

Movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP).

Exocytosis

Process of vesicles releasing contents from the cell by fusing with the cell membrane.

Endocytosis

Process of bulk importing materials into the cell, resulting in vesicle formation.

Fluid mosaic model

Model describing the cell membrane as a dynamic structure with components that move.

Diffusion

The passive movement of particles down their concentration gradient.Transport down concentration gradient, doesn’t need energy

Tonicity

The ability of a solution to affect the volume of cells by influencing water movement. Water follows high solute concentration

Active transport

Transport against concentration gradient, requires energy

Catabolic processes

Metabolic pathways that break down molecules, releasing energy.

Anabolic processes

Metabolic pathways that build larger molecules from smaller ones, consuming energy.

Spontaneous reactions

Chemical reactions that occur without external energy input (-∆G).

Requires no external energy, (-∆G)

Entropy

A measure of disorder or randomness in a system.

Exergonic reaction

A reaction that releases energy; products have less energy than reactants (-∆G).

Endergonic reaction

A reaction that absorbs energy; products have more energy than reactants (+∆G).

Activation energy

The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Allosteric regulation

Regulation of an enzyme's activity through the binding of a molecule at an allosteric site.

Energy coupling

Using energy released from exergonic reactions to drive endergonic reactions.

Competitive inhibition

A type of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor binds to the active site.

Non-competitive inhibition

A type of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor binds to an allosteric site, changing enzyme shape.

Feedback inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the product of a reaction inhibits an earlier step.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, yielding 2 ATP and 2 NADH. 2 pyruvate

Cytosol

Where does glycolysis take place?

Citric Acid Cycle

Products

o 3 NADH OUT

o 1 FADH2 OUT

o 1 GTP OUT (becomes 1 ATP)

o 2 CO2 OUT

In the mitochondrial matrix

Where does citric acid cycle happen

Electron Transport Chain

O2 is the final electron acceptor

- ETC proteins create the proton gradient

- H+ gradient drives ATP synthesis

- H+ flows from the intermembrane space down to the mitochondrial matrix and rotates

the ATP synthase which creates ATP

Fermentation

A metabolic process that consumes sugar in the absence of oxygen, producing either ethanol or lactic acid.

What happens without oxygen

If no O2, fermentation must take place to regenerate the electron carriers

- Alcoholic fermentation🡪 ethanol

- Lactic Acid Fermentation 🡪 lactic acid

Photosynthesis

Plants take in CO2 and H20 and use the Light cycle to make ATP and NADPH that go into Calvin cycle and puts our Oxygen and Glucose (sugar)

Light Reactions

The phase of photosynthesis where light energy is converted into chemical energy (ATP, NADPH) in thylakoids. H+ pumped into thylakoid lumen

- ATP synthase uses gradient to produce ATP

- Electrons come from H2O 🡪 PSII 🡪 PSI 🡪 NAHPH 🡪 Calvin Cycle

Calvin Cycle

IN: 3 CO2, 9 ATP, 6 NADPH

- OUT: 1 G3P

C3 Plants

▪ Close stomata during the heat

Have to use 02 to power the Calvin cycle to avoid damaging the light

reactions

C4 Plants

▪ CO2 kept in mesophyll cells as PEP Carboxylase

▪ Spatial Separation

CAM Plants

Turns CO2 into an acid and it stores it for later

▪ Temporal separation