Cellular Processes and Biological Molecules

Vocabulary based on lecture notes covering cellular respiration, photosynthesis, biological monomers, and the Calvin Cycle.

Mitochondria

The source of ATP energy in the cell.

ATP

The fuel of the cell produced by the mitochondria, important for muscle contraction, active transport, and biochemical processes.

Exodermic Reaction

A reaction characterized by the release of energy.

Endademic Reaction

A reaction characterized by the absorption of energy.

Cellular Respiration Formula

$$C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O + ATP$$

Carbohydrates

Biological molecules whose simple sugar form is glucose.

Proteins

Biological molecules made of amino acids; enzymes are a type of protein.

Lipids

Biological molecules made of fatty acid and glycerol.

Nucleic acids

Biological molecules made of nucleotides.

ATPase

A term indicating the presence of an enzyme.

Enzymes

Proteins that speed up reactions, often acting as a catalyst or precursor.

-ase

A suffix indicating a protein enzyme-catalyst or precursor.

-ose

A suffix used for sugars.

Lactose

Sugar found in milk.

Sucrose

Sugar found in sugar cane.

Fructose

Sugar found in ripe fruits.

Maltose

Sugar found in beer.

Photosynthesis

The conversion of light energy into chemical energy.

Photosynthesis Formula

$$CO_2 + H_2O \xrightarrow{\text{sunlight, chlorophyll}} C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2$$

Chloroplast

The cell organelle where photosynthesis occurs.

Stomaty

An opening where oxygen enters.

Grana

Part of the chloroplast structure where Light Reactions (LR) happen first.

Stroma

Part of the chloroplast structure where Dark Reactions (DR) occur.

Light Reactions Raw Materials

$$H_2O + \text{Light Energy}$$

Light Reactions End Product

$$O_2 + ATP + NADPH$$

NADPH

Stands for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate plus Hydrogen.

Dark Reaction

Also called the Calvin Cycle, where $CO_2$ enters and the end product is glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$).

Stages of Calvin Cycle

1. Carbon Fixation, 2. Reduction, 3. Regeneration.