bioenergetics Flashcards
what is photosynthesis
the process by which plants make carbohydrates from raw materials, using energy from light
in which subcellular structure does photosynthesis take place in
chloroplasts
what is a chlorophyll
a pigment found in the chloroplasts, it can absorb light
what is the equation for photosynthesis
carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
what is the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
is photosynthesis an endothermic or exothermic reaction
endothermic as it absorbs light energy
what is glucose used for in plants
- cellular respiration
- making cellulose to strengthen cell walls
- making starch for long term storage as it is compact and insoluble
- making amino acids by combing glucose with nitrate ions
- making oils and fats
what is the rate of photosynthesis dependent on
- light intensity
- temperature
- concentration of carbon dioxide
- how much chlorophyll a plant has
what causes the level of chlorophyll in an individual plant to vary
- disease (eg. TMV)
- environmental stress
- lack of nutrients
what happens to photosynthesis as light intensity increases
as light intensity increases so does the rate of photosynthesis, however after a certain point it plateaus
what happens to photosynthesis as the level of carbon dioxide increases
as the level of carbon dioxide increases so does the rate of photosynthesis, however after a certain point it plateaus
what happens to photosynthesis as the temperature increases
as temperature increases so does the rate of photosynthesis, however after a certain point (40-45 degrees) it reduces the rate of photosynthesis as enzymes become denatured
how do farmers create a warmer temperature for plants to grow in
by using a greenhouse or providing artificial light
how do farmers increase the level of CO2
by pumping in CO2 into the greenhouse or by using a paraffin heater which releases heat and CO2
what is cellular respiration
an exothermic reaction, which transfers energy from glucose, and is continuously occurring in living cells
how do organisms use their energy (from respiration)
- build up larger molecules from smaller
- muscular contraction
- maintaining body temperature
how do organisms use their energy (from respiration)
- build up larger molecules from smaller
- muscular contraction
- maintaining body temperature
what is metabolism
all the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life
what is metabolism
all the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life
where does aerobic respiration take place
in the mitochondria
where does aerobic respiration take place
in the mitochondria
what is the word equation for aerobic respiration
glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water
what is the word equation for anaerobic respiration
glucose -> lactic acid
what are the 2 problems with anaerobic respiration
- incomplete breakdown of glucose molecules as there is no oxygen to oxidise it which makes anaerobic respiration inefficient
- lactic acid has to be removed
