Energy for biological processes Flashcards
what are some metabolic activities? (activities which require energy)
-active transport
-anabolic reactions (building up)
-movement
ATP is produced in photosynthesis and respiration by what process?
chemiosmosis
what is chemiosmosis?
diffusion of protons from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration through a partially permeable membrane. The movement of protons releases energy that is used in the attachment of an inorganic phosphate forming ATP.
what does chemiosmosis depend on?
the creation of a proton concentration gradient, energy comes form excited electrons
how are electrons raised to higher energy levels (excited)?
-electrons in pigments (chlorophyll) are excited by absorbing light
-high energy electrons are released when chemical bonds are broken in respiratory substrate molecules (glucose)
what is an electron transport chain?
made up of a series of electron carriers, each progressively lower energy levels. As electrons move between the carriers, energy is released. This is used to pump protons across the membrane to create a concentration difference and therefore proton gradient.
how is the proton gradient maintained?
due to the impermeability of the membrane
how can protons move back through the membrane?
through hydrophilic membrane channels linked to ATP synthase (catalyses formation of ATP). The flow of protons provides energy used to synthesis ATP.
what is photosynthesis?
the process by which energy in the form of light form the sun is used to build complex organic molecules.
what are autotrophic organisms?
organisms that can photosynthesis
what are heterotrophic organisms?
organisms that obtain complex organic molecules by eating other organisms.
symbol equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2+ 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Describe the structure found inside chloroplasts?
flattened sacs called thylakoids are stacked to form grana. The grana are joined by lamellae. Fluid enclosed is storm where many chemical reaction forming complex molecules take place.
what is chlorophyll?
primary pigment molecule. Chlorophyll absorbs mainly red and blue light and reflects green light.
why are there different shades of colours in leaves?
due to the different combination of pigments
what other pigments are embedded in the chloroplasts?
chlorophyll b, xanthophylls and carotenoids are embedded in the thylakoid membrane. These and other proteins for a light harvesting system (antennae complex)
wha is the role of the antennae complex?
absorb or hovers light energy of different wavelengths and transfer this energy quickly and efficiently to the reaction centre. Chlorophyll is located in the reaction centre
the light harvesting system and reaction centre are collectively known as a?
photosystem
Is chlorophyll produced when there is no sunlight?
No therefore it needs to be continuously synthesised however if sunlight is too intense, chlorophyll is destroyed
what colours do carotenoids and xanthophyll pigments form?
cartenoids form orange and xanthophyll forms yellow. They are usually masked by green chlorophyll.