Module 8 Flash Cards

M8- Cellular Energy


Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) - provides energy for living cells

Thylakoid - flattened sac-like membrane

Stroma - fluid-filled space outside the grana

Glycolysis - not really sure hehe

Krebs Cycle  - A series of reactions in which pyruvate is broken down into CO2.

Fermentation - anaerobic process after glycolysis (allows the cell to produce/regenerate NAD+, which allows glycolysis to continue making ATP.)


Describe the relationship between ADP and ATP:

  • ADP (adenosine diphosphate) is converted into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) during cellular respiration and photosynthesis, acting as a key energy carrier in the cell.

  • The conversion occurs through the addition of a phosphate group to ADP, catalyzed by enzymes such as ATP synthase, which is driven by the energy released from the breakdown of glucose and other molecules.


Describe the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis:

  • Inputs: Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, water (H2O) absorbed by roots, and sunlight for energy.

  • Outputs: Glucose (C6H12O6) produced as an energy source for the plant and oxygen (O2) released as a byproduct.


Describe how plants use photosynthesis:

Plants utilize photosynthesis to convert the light energy captured from sunlight into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process not only provides energy for the plant's growth and development but also contributes to the formation of biomass, which serves as food for herbivores and, subsequently, for higher trophic levels in the ecosystem.


Describe the inputs and outputs of cellular respiration:

Cellular respiration utilizes glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) as inputs to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as outputs. This process is essential for converting the stored chemical energy in glucose into a usable form of energy, allowing cells to perform various functions necessary for life.


Describe how organisms use cellular respiration:

Organisms utilize cellular respiration to break down glucose and release energy, which is then used for metabolic processes such as growth, repair, and maintaining homeostasis. This energy is critical for activities ranging from muscle contraction in animals to active transport in cells, ensuring that all biological functions can proceed efficiently.


Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy:

  • Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures sunlight.

  • Light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) through a series of reactions known as the light-dependent and light-independent reactions.

  • The glucose produced serves as a form of stored chemical energy that can be utilized by the plant itself or by other organisms that consume the plant.

  • This process not only fuels the plant's growth and metabolism but also plays a vital role in the overall energy flow within ecosystems.