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 word equation for photosynthesis

A

carbon dioxide + water –> glucose + oxygen

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4
Q

State the symbol equation for photosynthesis

A

6CO2 + 6H2O –> C6H12O6 +6O2

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5
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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6
Q

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

A

Using a water plant (like Elodea), collect gas bubbles that are produced during photosynthesis. The gas will relight a glowing splint because it contains oxygen

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7
Q

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

A
  1. broad leaves - maximise surface area
  2. thin leaves - short diffusion distance
  3. chlorophyll preset - trap light energy
  4. veins - transport water to leaves via xylem, remove photosynthesis products via phloem
  5. air spaces - allow CO2 to enter and O2 to leave
  6. guard cells - control opening of stomata for gaseous exchange and prevent water loss
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8
Q

What are the 4 main factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A
  1. temperature
  2. light intensity
  3. carbon dioxide concentration
  4. amount of chlorophyll
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9
Q

How does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A
  • increasing the temp increases the rate of photosynthesis as the kinetic energy of particles is increases
  • the rate decreases past a certain temp as enzymes become denatured
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10
Q

How does light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A

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

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11
Q

How does carbon dioxide concentration affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A

increasing CO2 concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis (until another factor becomes limiting) because CO2 is required to make glucose

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12
Q

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

A

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

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13
Q

What is a limiting factor?

A

an environmental factor which can restrict the rate of photosynthesis (e.g: light intensity)

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14
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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15
Q

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

A

control temp, light intensity & CO2 concentration to achieve the fastest possible rate of photosynthesis, leading to a greater yield

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16
Q

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

A

inverse square law - light intensity = 1/distance^2

17
Q

State 5 uses of glucose produced during photosynthesis

A
  1. respiration
  2. starch for storage
  3. cellulose for strength
  4. amino acid and protein synthesis (combined with nitrates)
  5. lipids for energy storage in seeds
18
Q

What is aerobic respiration?

A

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

19
Q

What is the word equation for aerobic respiration?

A

glucose + oxygen –> carbon dioxide + water

20
Q

What is the symbol equation for aerobic respiration?

A

C6H12O6 + 6O2 –> 6CO2 + H2O

21
Q

Where does aerobic respiration take place?

A

mitochondria

22
Q

Why do organisms require the energy released by respiration?

A
  • synthesis of large molecules
  • muscle contraction
  • maintenance of body temperature
  • active transport
23
Q

What is anaerobic respiration?

A

exothermic reaction where glucose is broken down to release energy in the absence of oxygen

24
Q

What is the word equation for anaerobic respiration?

A

glucose –> lactic acid

25
Q

Why is anaerobic respiration less efficient than aerobic respiration?

A

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

26
Q

Why can anaerobic respiration lead to muscle fatigue?

A

lactic acid builds up in muscles, preventing efficient contraction

27
Q

What is oxygen debt?

A

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

28
Q

What is fermentation?

A

a type of anaerobic respiration that occurs in yeast cells

29
Q

What is the word equation for fermentation?

A

glucose –> ethanol + carbon dioxide

30
Q

Why is the fermentation reaction important?

A

used to produce bread and alcoholic drinks

31
Q

What are 3 differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

A
  • aerobic req. oxygen, anarobic doesn’t
  • aerobic produces CO2 & water anaerobic produces lactic acid or ethanol & CO2
  • aerobic transfers a greater amount of energy
32
Q

How do muscles store glucose?

A

as glycogen

33
Q

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

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
34
Q

How is lactic acid transported away from the muscles?

A

blood flow through the muscles transports lactic acid to the liver, where it’s oxidised back to glucose

35
Q

What is metabolism?

A

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

36
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

37
Q

Give 6 examples of metabolic reactions

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