Photosynthesis
What is the main purpose of photosynthesis in plants?
To produce glucose (sugar) as an energy source for the plant by converting light energy into chemical energy.
Where in the cell does cellular respiration happen?
In the mitochondria.
What are macromolecules, and name one example.
Macromolecules are large molecules essential for life, such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Why is carbon important to living things?
Carbon is a key element in all organic molecules, forming the backbone of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, which are essential for life.
Name the organelle in plants where photosynthesis takes place.
The chloroplast.
Identify three outputs of cellular respiration.
Carbon dioxide, ATP, and water.
Explain how a carbohydrate is broken down in the body and one way it’s used.
Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose during digestion. Glucose is used to produce energy (ATP) for cellular activities.
Explain how carbon is cycled through the environment using two main processes.
Carbon is cycled through photosynthesis, where plants absorb carbon dioxide to produce glucose, and cellular respiration, where organisms break down glucose, releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
Explain how light energy is transformed into chemical energy during photosynthesis.
In the chloroplast, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, exciting electrons that drive reactions to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a form of stored chemical energy.
Describe the energy transformation that occurs during cellular respiration, starting from chemical energy in glucose.
The chemical energy stored in glucose is broken down in the mitochondria, producing ATP, which is the usable energy for the cell.
Explain how macromolecules are formed and broken down, including examples of monomers and polymers.
Macromolecules are formed through dehydration synthesis, linking monomers into polymers. They are broken down through hydrolysis, where water breaks polymers back into monomers. For example, glucose monomers join to form the polysaccharide starch.
Describe how trees help reduce carbon emissions and benefit the environment.
Trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, storing carbon in their biomass and reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which helps mitigate climate change.
Describe how all inputs and outputs are involved in photosynthesis. Include where the liquids and gases exit or enter.
Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through the stomata, and water is absorbed by the roots. In the chloroplasts, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, initiating reactions that transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and release oxygen as a byproduct.
Accurately model cellular respiration, showing the inputs (glucose and oxygen) and outputs (ATP, carbon dioxide, and water). Use at least three vocabulary terms (e.g., anaerobic respiration, lactic acid, enzymes).
Cellular respiration uses glucose and oxygen to produce ATP, carbon dioxide, and water. Enzymes facilitate each step of the process. In the absence of oxygen, cells can perform anaerobic respiration, producing lactic acid instead of fully breaking down glucose.
Describe the different functions of each macromolecule in the body (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) and how enzyme function is essential to these processes.
Carbohydrates provide energy; lipids store energy and provide insulation; proteins support tissue repair, transport, and enzymes; nucleic acids store genetic information. Enzymes facilitate these processes by speeding up chemical reactions without being consumed.
Explain how photosynthesis, combustion, and cellular respiration are connected in the carbon cycle. Discuss how trees impact climate change.
Photosynthesis absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen, while cellular respiration and combustion uses oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. This cycle balances atmospheric carbon. Trees help combat climate change by sequestering carbon, reducing greenhouse gas concentrations.