Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration Notes

Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration Overview

  • Photosynthesis stores solar energy in carbohydrates.
  • Cellular respiration releases energy from carbohydrates for ATP production.

Cell Structures

  • Plant Cell: Contains chloroplast, cell wall, and large vacuole.
  • Animal Cell: Contains centrioles and lysosomes.

Cellular Transport

  • Passive Transport: Diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion (no ATP required).
  • Active Transport: Endocytosis & exocytosis (ATP required).

Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration Connection

  • Photosynthesis uses light energy, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen.
  • Cellular respiration uses glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and chemical energy (ATP).
  • 6CO<em>2+6H</em>2O→C<em>6H</em>12O<em>6+6O</em>26 CO<em>2 + 6 H</em>2O \rightarrow C<em>6H</em>{12}O<em>6 + 6 O</em>2

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

  • ATP: Adenosine + ribose + 3 phosphate groups.
  • ATP powers activities like muscle contractions and nerve impulses.
  • ATP releases energy when a phosphate group is removed, forming ADP + Pi.
  • ADP is converted back to ATP by adding a phosphate group.

Chloroplast

  • Site of photosynthesis in autotrophs.
  • Contains chlorophyll to trap light energy.
  • Found in mesophyll cells.
  • Structure:
    • Double membrane (outer and inner).
    • Thylakoids stacked into grana.
    • Stroma (fluid-filled space).
    • Thylakoid lumen (space inside thylakoids).

Mitochondria

  • Site of cellular respiration.
  • Structure:
    • Outer membrane.
    • Folded inner membrane (cristae).
    • Matrix (fluid-filled interior).

Metabolic Pathways

  • Metabolic pathway: Step-by-step enzyme-controlled reactions.
  • Anabolic reactions: Use energy to build large molecules.
  • Catabolic reactions: Release energy by breaking down large molecules.
  • Enzymes lower activation energy.

Oxidation and Reduction (Redox Reactions)

  • Oxidation: Loss of electrons (LEO).
  • Reduction: Gain of electrons (GER).
  • OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain
  • Reactions occur in pairs.
  • Reduced molecules have more energy.