Photosynthesis & Energy Transfer
What is the role of pigments in photosynthesis?
What is pigments absorb light energy and transfer it to other molecules in the photosystem?
Explanation: In the thylakoid membrane, pigments like chlorophyll absorb light energy and transfer it to molecules that help produce NADPH. This NADPH is then used in the Calvin Cycle to help form glucose.
What is the purpose of the Calvin Cycle?
What is to produce glucose?
Explanation: The Calvin Cycle uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 into glucose, storing energy for the plant.
What are the three main stages of cellular respiration?
What are glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain?
Explanation: Glycolysis breaks down glucose, the Krebs cycle generates reducing power, and the electron transport chain produces ATP.
What is the main difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
What is the presence or absence of oxygen?
Explanation: Aerobic respiration uses oxygen, while anaerobic respiration doesn't. (Anaerobic respiration instead uses something such as Sulfur)
What industry relies on yeast fermentation?
What is the baking industry?
Explanation: Yeast produces CO2, causing dough to rise.
How is ATP produced in light-dependent reactions?
What is through chemiosmosis?
Explanation: Chemiosmosis happens in the thylakoid membrane. The electron transport chain pumps protons into the thylakoid space creating a gradient. ATP synthase uses this gradient to produce ATP from ADP.
Where does the Calvin Cycle occur?
What is in the stroma of the chloroplast?
Explanation: The stroma is the fluid inside the chloroplast where the Calvin Cycle happens. This is where carbon dioxide is used to make glucose with the help of ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions.
Where does the Krebs cycle occur?
What is the mitochondrial matrix?
Explanation: The Krebs cycle happens inside the mitochondria, breaking down pyruvate into CO2 and producing NADH and FADH2.
How does lactic acid fermentation help cells survive without oxygen?
What is it regenerates NAD+ so glycolysis can continue?
Explanation: Without oxygen cells must recycle NADH into NAD+ to keep glycolysis running. This then produces small amounts of ATP.
What is the difference between lactate fermentation in animals and ethanol fermentation in yeast?
What is lactate is produced in animals, while ethanol and CO2 are produced in yeast?
Explanation: In animals lactic acid fermentation occurs when oxygen is low and converts pyruvate into lactate in order to regenerate NAD+. In yeast fermentation it converts pyruvate into ethanol and CO2 allowing glycolysis to continue.
What is the purpose of NADPH in photosynthesis?
What is to provide reducing power in the Calvin Cycle?
Explanation: NADPH carries high-energy electrons to the light-independent reactions where it helps reduce carbon compounds to form glucose.
How do ATP and NADPH help in the Calvin Cycle?
What is ATP provides energy and NADPH supplies hydrogen to help form glucose?
Explanation: ATP is used as an energy source and NADPH provides hydrogen atoms needed to convert carbon dioxide into glucose during the Calvin Cycle.
What do NADH and FADH2 do in cellular respiration?
What is they carry electrons to the electron transport chain?
Explanation: NADH and FADH2 transport high-energy electrons that drive ATP production through the electron transport chain.
What is one key purpose of the Krebs cycle in cellular respiration?
What is to produce NADH and FADH2?
Explanation: The Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and helps break down carbon compounds generating NADH and FADH2, which carry high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain for ATP production.
How is fermentation used in food preservation?
What is it creates acids that prevent bacterial growth?
Explanation: Foods like kimchi and yogurt rely on fermentation to produce lactic acid, which helps to preserve them.
Where in the chloroplast do the light reactions occur?
What is the thylakoid membrane?
Explanation: The thylakoid membrane contains the photosystems and electron transport chains needed for ATP and NADPH production.
Why does the Calvin Cycle need light-dependent reactions?
What is because it requires ATP and NADPH?
Explanation: The Calvin Cycle cannot function without the ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions to drive the reduction of carbon compounds.
What is the purpose of the electron transport chain?
What is to generate ATP using oxygen?
Explanation: The electron transport chain pumps protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane creating a gradient used to produce ATP.
Why does anaerobic respiration produce less ATP than aerobic respiration?
What is because it only uses glycolysis?
Explanation: Without oxygen the electron transport chain cannot function, so only 2 ATP per glucose are produced.
Why do cells produce more ATP in the presence of oxygen?
What is oxygen allows for the full breakdown of glucose in the mitochondria?
Explanation: When oxygen is present glucose is completely broken down in the mitochondria through the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain. This produces much more ATP compared to anaerobic respiration, which only relies on glycolysis.
Why are plants green?
What is because chlorophyll reflects green light?
Explanation: Chlorophyll absorbs light in the blue and red spectrum but reflects green light making plants appear green.
What happens to pyruvate before entering the Krebs cycle?
What is it is converted into acetyl-CoA during Krebs cycle preparation?
Explanation: Before entering the Krebs cycle, pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA in the mitochondrial matrix. This step releases carbon dioxide and generates NADH, which is used later in the electron transport chain to produce ATP.
What molecule acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain?
Answer: What is oxygen?
Explanation: Oxygen combines with electrons and protons to form water preventing the electron transport chain from getting backed up.
What happens to NADH during fermentation?
What is it is converted back to NAD+?
Explanation: This allows glycolysis to continue in the absence of oxygen.
How does ATP production affect muscle movement during exercise?
What is ATP is needed for muscle contraction and endurance?
Explanation: ATP is the main energy source for muscles. During exercise aerobic respiration provides a steady supply of ATP, while anaerobic respiration is used for short bursts of energy but leads to lactic acid buildup resulting in fatigue.