Chapter 17 - Energy For Biological Processes

Question 1

List some functions that organisms use energy for to survive.

Answer 1

From the following:
Metabolic reactions (active transport)
Growth
Repair
Making food 
Reproducing

Question 2

Explain how energy is transferred throughout an ecosystem.

Answer 2

Energy is produced by the sun in which autotrophs, such as plants, capture and uptake, some energy is lost in the process of respiration but the rest is consumed by consumers and decomposes. Eventually all energy is returned to the atmosphere.

Question 3

What is photosynthesis?

Answer 3

Photosynthesis is the process conducted by autotrophs where light energy is used to break the bonds between carbon dioxide and water to create oxygen and glucose as products

Question 4

What is respiration?

Answer 4

Respiration is a process where organic molecules are broken down into inorganic molecules, glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide, water and ATP (energy).

Question 5

What is chemiosmosis?

Answer 5

Chemiosmosis is where protons diffuse from a region of high to low concentration down a concentration gradient through a partially permeable membrane.

Question 6

Explain the process required for protons to successfully diffuse through partially permeable membrane.

Answer 6

1) Protons require a protein gradient
2) Created by excited electrons, which are created by the sun,
3) They pass down an electron transport chain
4) The electron transport chain; electrons carriers; where energy is released from electrons passing between the carriers.
5) The energy allows protons to diffuse.

Question 7

Explain how, once protons are on the inside of the membrane, help synthesise ATP.

Answer 7

1) Protons move down the hydrophilic membrane channel to the ATP Synthase
2) Facilitated diffusion of protons provides the energy need to attach a phosphate to ADP, creating ATP.