3.6 I Can Statements

What processes allow organisms to use energy stored in biological macromolecules?

Cellular respiration and fermentation.

What is fermentation?

A metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

What is cellular respiration?

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

What is the electron transport chain?

A series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons through redox reactions.

Where are electron transport chains located in eukaryotes?

In the inner mitochondrial membrane.

How are electrons moved through the process of cellular respiration?

Electrons are transferred from electron donors to electron acceptors through a series of reactions.

What is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain of aerobic respiration?

Oxygen.

How do electrons move down the electron transport chain?

They are transferred from one protein complex to another, releasing energy.

What generates the proton gradient in the electron transport chain?

The movement of electrons through the chain, which pumps protons across the membrane.

Where is the high proton concentration found during cellular respiration?

In the intermembrane space of mitochondria.

What effect does a high proton concentration have on pH?

It lowers the pH, making the environment more acidic.

How do electron transport chains in eukaryotes differ from those in prokaryotes?

Eukaryotes have electron transport chains in mitochondria, while prokaryotes have them in the plasma membrane.

What is chemiosmosis?

The movement of protons down their gradient through ATP synthase to generate ATP.

What is oxidative phosphorylation?

The process that produces ATP using the energy derived from the electron transport chain.

What is photophosphorylation?

The process of converting light energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP.

How do endotherms maintain their body temperature?

By regulating their metabolic rate and using insulation.

How do cells obtain energy from biological macromolecules?

Through processes like glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

What is glycolysis?

The metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.

What are the starting materials of glycolysis?

Glucose and ATP.

What are the products of glycolysis?

Pyruvate, ATP, and NADH.

Where does cellular respiration take place in the cell?

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm; the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain occur in the mitochondria.

What is the Krebs cycle?

A series of enzymatic reactions that produce ATP, NADH, FADH2, and CO2 from acetyl-CoA.

What are the starting materials of the Krebs cycle?

Acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate.

What are the products of the Krebs cycle?

ATP, NADH, FADH2, and carbon dioxide.

How are electrons transported to the electron transport chain?

Via electron carriers like NADH and FADH2.

What is the result of electrons being transferred between molecules in the electron transport chain?

Energy is released, which is used to pump protons across the membrane.

What is the function of fermentation?

To regenerate NAD+ for glycolysis in anaerobic conditions.

What is the function of ATP hydrolysis?

To release energy that can be used for cellular work.