Macromolecules, Photosynthesis, and Cellular Respiration

What are macromolecules?

Large complex molecules essential for life, including proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids.

What is the difference between monomers and polymers?

Monomers are single units that can join together to form polymers, which are long chains of repeating monomer units.

What is dehydration synthesis?

A chemical reaction that joins two molecules by removing a water molecule.

What is matter?

Anything that has mass and takes up space, made up of atoms.

What is the difference between elements and molecules?

Elements are pure substances made of one type of atom, while molecules consist of two or more atoms bonded together.

What is the Law of Conservation of Matter?

Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only rearranged.

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

To ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

What are the balanced chemical equations for photosynthesis?

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

What are the balanced chemical equations for cellular respiration?

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (ATP).

What are the four main types of macromolecules?

Proteins, Carbohydrates, Nucleic Acids, and Lipids.

What are monosaccharides?

The simplest form of carbohydrates, serving as the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates.

What are the reactants of photosynthesis?

Water (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and Light Energy.

What are the products of photosynthesis?

Glucose (C6H12O6) and Oxygen (O2).

Where does photosynthesis occur?

In chloroplasts

What are the two main stages of photosynthesis?

Light Reactions and the Calvin Cycle.

What limits photosynthesis?

Factors such as light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and temperature can limit the rate of photosynthesis.

What is the goal of cellular respiration?

To convert glucose into ATP (energy) for cellular activities.

Where does cellular respiration occur?

In the mitochondria of cells.

What are the reactants of cellular respiration?

Glucose (C6H12O6) and Oxygen (O2).

What are the products of cellular respiration?

Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Water (H2O), and Energy (ATP).

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and produces more ATP (~36 ATP), while anaerobic respiration does not require oxygen and produces less ATP.

Which organisms perform photosynthesis?

Plants perform both photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Which organisms perform cellular respiration?

Animals perform only cellular respiration.

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that involves the breaking down of a compound by reaction with water.

Amino Acids

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins, containing an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a side chain.

Nucleotides

The basic units of nucleic acids, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.

Fatty Acids

Carboxylic acids with long hydrocarbon chains, which are the building blocks of lipids.

Glycerol

A three-carbon alcohol that combines with fatty acids to form triglycerides.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by the combination of two monosaccharides, such as sucrose and lactose.

Polypeptides

Chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, which fold into functional proteins.

Phospholipids

Molecules that form the bilayer of cell membranes, consisting of two fatty acids, a glycerol, and a phosphate group.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means, consisting of only one type of atom.

Molecule

A group of two or more atoms bonded together, which can be of the same or different elements.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more different elements chemically bond together.

Reactants

The starting materials in a chemical reaction that undergo change.

Products

The substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

What is an atom?

The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

What is a monomer?

A small, basic molecular unit that can join together with other monomers to form a polymer.

What is a polymer?

A large molecule composed of repeating structural units (monomers) connected by covalent chemical bonds.

What is photosynthesis?

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll, primarily occurring in the chloroplasts.

What is cellular respiration?

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water, occurring in the mitochondria.

What are the reactants and products of cellular respiration?

Reactants: Glucose and oxygen; Products: Carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.

What is aerobic respiration?

A type of cellular respiration that requires oxygen and produces a maximum of 36-38 ATP molecules per glucose molecule.

What is anaerobic respiration?

A type of cellular respiration that occurs without oxygen, producing 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule; examples include lactic acid fermentation and alcohol fermentation.

What is lactic acid fermentation?

An anaerobic process where glucose is converted into lactic acid and energy, commonly occurring in muscle cells during intense exercise.

What is alcohol fermentation?

An anaerobic process where glucose is converted into ethanol, carbon dioxide, and energy, commonly used in brewing and baking.