Unit 6 - Energy in Cells

This unit dives deeper into how cell processes work and the purpose of ATP in cells.

Kinetic vs. Potential Energy

• Kinetic - Energy of an object in motion

• Potential - Stored & unaffected energy

The 3 Forms of Energy

• Sunlight - Energy produced by the Sun. It is generated through nuclear fusion.

• Chemical - Energy stored in atom and molecule bonds.

• Heat - Produced in temperature rises, it makes molecules move faster and collide with each other more often.

Exergonic vs. Endergonic

• Exergonic - Energy is released into the environment.

• Endergonic - Energy is absorbed from the environment.

ATP (Structure, How it is used, What happens to it, Recharging, Phosphorylation)

• ATP has a nitrogenous base, sugar, and a chain of phosphate groups.

• ATP is transferred into a molecule by phosphorylation. The cell relies on ATP to energize molecules through this process.

• After an ATP molecule is used, it splits off one of the 3 phosphates and then becomes ADP + P. Energy from holding the phosphate releases and is used.

• ADP “recharges” to form ATP when another phosphate binds with it.

Mitochondria Structure

Mitochondria have cristae, many folds that help to increase the surface area of the organelle; this is important because that means there is more space within the mitochondria and more ATP can be produced.

Cellular Respiration Equation

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP

Breathing & Cellular Respiration

Inhaling supplies oxygen to the cell so that it can produce ATP. It also maintains the metabolic process in the body.

Purpose of Cellular Respiration

The point of cellular respiration is to make ATP from ADP+P. CO2 and H2O are waste products from the process.

Why do plants do cellular respiration?

To produce ATP energy for the cell. It helps with plant growth.

Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Respiration

• Aerobic - Requires energy to occur. Takes place in the mitochondria.

• Anaerobic - No energy required to occur. Takes place in the cytoplasm.

Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Fermentation

• Aerobic - Metabolic process done by bacteria/eukaryotes. No oxygen.

• Anaerobic - Metabolic process where cells metabolize sugars. Oxygen.

Fermentation in Muscles

When you are exercising, the stored ATP energy eventually runs out and the muscles have to produce ATP through fermentation.

Autotroph vs. Heterotroph

• Autotroph - Produces their own food. They produce glucose through photosynthesis.

• Heterotroph - Consumers—they eat other consumers or producers. Ingest other organisms to get glucose.

Chloroplast Structure

• Outer Membrane

• Inner Membrane

• Thylakoid Membrane

Photosynthesis Equation

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Light Reactions

• Takes place in the Thylakoid Membrane.

• H2O goes in, O2 comes out.

Calvin Cycle

• Takes place in the Stroma.

• CO2 goes in, Sucrose comes out.

Chlorophyll Light Wavelengths

• Absorbs orange/violet wavelengths.

• Green is reflected (giving the plant it’s color).

Purpose of Glucose

• Respiration (anaerobic and aerobic)

• Starch (storage)

• Cellulose (builds cell walls)

Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, and the Carbon Cycle

• Cellular Respiration releases CO2 into the atmosphere.

• Photosynthesis pulls CO2 from the atmosphere.