Exam 1 Quick Review: Energy & Nutrients

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering the key concepts from the Energy & Nutrients review notes for Exam 1.

What does the First Law of Thermodynamics state?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed.

What does the Second Law of Thermodynamics say about energy transfer efficiency?

Energy transfer is not 100% efficient; some energy is lost as heat.

What types of work require energy in living systems?

Mechanical work, transport work, and chemical work.

Describe the energy flow pathway from sunlight to ATP in cells.

Sun → chloroplasts → mitochondria (ATP).

What is ATP composed of?

Adenine, ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups.

What happens to energy when a phosphate is removed from ATP?

Energy is released; ATP becomes ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi).

How is an organic molecule defined in this course?

Contains carbon and hydrogen.

How are polymers formed and broken down?

Polymers are formed by dehydration synthesis of monomers; they are broken by hydrolysis.

What roles do carbohydrates play and how are they stored?

Provide short-term energy; monosaccharides are stored as starch in plants and glycogen in animals.

What characterizes lipids and what is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

Lipids are hydrophobic; saturated fats have no double bonds, unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds.

What are proteins made of and what is a key role of enzymes?

Proteins are made of amino acids; enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions.

What are nucleic acids and what is notable about ATP?

DNA and RNA are nucleic acids; ATP is a special nucleotide used for energy.

How do enzymes speed reactions and what determines substrate specificity?

Enzymes lower activation energy; substrates fit the enzyme's active site specifically.

What factors affect enzyme activity?

pH, temperature, and denaturation.

Name the main accessory organs involved in digestion.

Liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and salivary glands.

What is the function of the large intestine?

Absorbs water.

What are the liver's roles in digestion?

Detoxification and bile production.

What does the gallbladder do?

Stores bile.

What is the function of the small intestine?

Absorbs sugars and amino acids.

What is the function of mitochondria and what are cristae?

Mitochondria produce ATP; cristae increase surface area for respiration.

What is the role of chloroplasts?

Carry out photosynthesis.

What is the Golgi apparatus responsible for?

Modifying, packaging, and exporting cellular products.

What is the nucleus' function?

Control center of the cell; houses DNA.

What do lysosomes do?

Digest waste and worn-out organelles.

What is the structure and function of the plasma membrane?

Phospholipid bilayer with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails; selectively permeable.

What are the main passive transport mechanisms?

Diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion.

What is active transport?

Movement against a concentration gradient that requires ATP.

What does tonicity describe?

Hypertonic causes cell shrinkage; hypotonic causes swelling; isotonic is stable.

List the steps of cellular respiration.

Glycolysis → Prep Reaction → Citric Acid Cycle → Electron Transport Chain.

Where does glycolysis occur and where do the other steps occur?

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm; the remaining steps occur in the mitochondria.

Do cells require O2 and what are the outputs?

O2 is required for the ETC; CO2 and H2O are released.

Where is most ATP produced in cellular respiration?

Most ATP is produced in the Electron Transport Chain.

What are energy drinks classified as and why?

They are supplements, not regulated like foods or drugs.

What ingredients are common in energy drinks and what is their effect?

Caffeine (main stimulant) and vitamins; vitamins interact with metabolism and caffeine provides a boost.

What are the focus topics for this exam?

Energy flow and ATP function; Monomer/polymer relationships; Enzyme activity and specificity; Organs in digestion and absorption; Steps of cellular respiration and ATP production; Membrane structure and transport.