Bioenergetics Flashcards

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1
Q

What is photosynthesis?

A

The process by which plants synthesise glucose using light energy from the Sun.

Light energy is converted into chemical energy.

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2
Q

Where does photosynthesis take place?

A

Within chloroplasts in leaf palisade
cells.They contain chlorophyll, a pigment which absorbs light energy

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3
Q

State the equations for photosynthesis (word and symbol)

A

Word:
carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen

Symbol:
6CO² + 6H²O → C⁶H¹²O⁶ + 6O²

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4
Q

Is photosynthesis an endothermic or exothermic reaction, and why?

A

Endothermic - energy is transferred from the environment to chloroplasts by light.

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5
Q

How can you show that a plant gives off oxygen during photosynthesis?

A

Using a water plant (eg. Elodea), collect gas bubbles produced during photosynthesis. The gas will relight a glowing splint as it contains oxygen.

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6
Q

Give examples of leaf adaptations which maximise the rate of photosynthesis (6)

A

● Broad leaves - maximise surface area.

● Thin leaves - short diffusion distance.

● Chlorophyll present - trap light energy.

● Veins - transport water to leaves via xylem, remove photosynthesis
products via phloem.

● Air spaces - allow CO2 to enter and O2 to leave.

● Guard cells - control opening of stomata for gaseous exchange and
prevent water loss.

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7
Q

What are the four main factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A

● Temperature

● Light intensity

● Carbon dioxide concentration

● Amount of chlorophyll

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8
Q

How does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A

Increasing the temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis as the kinetic energy of particles is increased. The rate decreases past a certain temperature as enzymes become denatured.

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9
Q

How does light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A

Increasing the light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis until another factor becomes limiting.

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10
Q

How does carbon dioxide concentration affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A

Increasing the carbon dioxide concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis (until another factor becomes limiting) as CO2 is required to make glucose.

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11
Q

How does the amount of chlorophyll affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A

Decreasing the amount of chlorophyll (eg. due to a lack of magnesium) decreases the rate of photosynthesis as chlorophyll is required to absorb light energy.

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12
Q

What is a limiting factor?

A

An environmental factor which can
restrict the rate of photosynthesis eg. light intensity.

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13
Q

Explain how you can calculate the rate of photosynthesis by measuring oxygen production

A

● Set up bubble potometer apparatus (pondweed in a
sealed tube of water, attached to a capillary tube and a gas syringe).

● Oxygen gas produced causes the bubble in the capillary tube to move. The distance moved by the bubble is used
to calculate the volume of oxygen produced.

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14
Q

How can farmers use their knowledge of limiting factors to increase their profits?

A

They can control temperature, light intensity and CO2 concentration to achieve the fastest possible rate of photosynthesis, leading to a greater yield

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15
Q

State the law which describes the relationship between the distance of a light source from a plant and light intensity (higher)

A

Inverse square law ;
light intensity ∝ 1 / distance²

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16
Q

State 5 uses of the glucose produced during photosynthesis (5)

A

● Respiration

● Starch for storage

● Cellulose for strength

● Amino acid and protein synthesis (combined with nitrates)

● Lipids for energy storage in seeds

17
Q

What is aerobic respiration?

A

An exothermic reaction in which glucose reacts with oxygen to release energy which can be used by cells.

18
Q

What are the equations for aerobic respiration? (word and symbol)

A

Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water (+energy)

C⁶H¹²O⁶ + 6O² → 6CO² + 6H²O (+energy)

19
Q

Where does aerobic respiration take place?

A

In the mitochondria

20
Q

Why do organisms require the energy released by respiration? (4)

A

● Synthesis of larger molecules
● Muscle contraction
● Maintenance of body temperature
● Active transport

21
Q

What is anaerobic respiration?

A

An exothermic reaction in which glucose is broken down to release energy in the absence of oxygen.

22
Q

What is the equation for anaerobic respiration?

A

Glucose → lactic acid (+energy)

23
Q

Why is anaerobic respiration less efficient than aerobic respiration?

A

Glucose is not completely broken down, so less energy is transferred

24
Q

Why can anaerobic respiration lead to muscle fatigue?

A

Lactic acid (product of anaerobic respiration) builds up in muscles, preventing efficient contraction.

25
Q

What is an oxygen debt?

A

The amount of oxygen needed to convert lactic acid into back into glucose after anaerobic respiration.

26
Q

What is fermentation?

A

A type of anaerobic respiration that
occurs in yeast cells.

27
Q

What is the equation for fermentation?

A

Glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide (+energy)

28
Q

Why is the fermentation reaction important?

A

It is used in the production of bread and alcoholic drinks.

29
Q

What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration? (3)

A

● Aerobic requires oxygen; anaerobic does not.

● Aerobic produces CO2 and water; anaerobic produces lactic acid or ethanol + CO2.

● Aerobic transfers a greater amount of energy.

30
Q

How do muscles store glucose?

A

As glycogen

31
Q

What changes take place when muscular activity increases in the body? (3)

A

● Heart rate increases and arteries dilate - increases flow of oxygenated blood to muscles.

● Breathing rate increases and breathing is deeper - increases the rate of gaseous exchange.

● Stored glycogen is converted back into glucose.

32
Q

How is lactic acid transported away from the muscles?

A

Blood flow through the muscles transports lactic acid to the liver, where it is oxidised back to glucose.

33
Q

What is metabolism?

A

The sum of all the reactions that take place in a cell or an organism.

34
Q

How do cells use the energy transferred by respiration?

A

To continuously carry out enzyme-controlled processes which lead to the synthesis of new molecules.

35
Q

Give examples of metabolic reactions (6)

A

● Glucose into starch/glycogen/cellulose

● Glycerol and fatty acids into lipids

● Glucose and nitrate ions into amino acids

● Photosynthesis

● Respiration

● Breakdown of excess proteins into urea