Energy Transformations

Question 1

What is photosynthesis ?

Answer 1

Photosynthesis is the process that plants use to convert the energy in sunlight into food that they use for energy. In order to carry out photosynthesis, plants need not only sunlight but also water and carbon dioxide. The food they make is called glucose, which is a simple sugar.

Question 2

What is chemosynthesis?

Answer 2

synthesis of carbohydrate from carbon dioxide and water; limited to certain bacteria and fungi.

Question 3

What’s the difference between autotroph and heterotroph?

Answer 3

Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food from the substances available in their surroundings using light (photosynthesis) or chemical energy (chemosynthesis). Heterotrophs cannot synthesize their own food and rely on other organisms — both plants and animals — for nutrition. Technically, the definition is that autotrophs obtain carbon from inorganic sources like carbon dioxide (CO2) while heterotrophs get their reduced carbon from other organisms. Autotrophs are usually plants; they are also called “self feeders” or “primary producers”.

Question 4

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 4

The equation for photosynthesis states that the combination of carbon dioxide, water and light energy produces a carbohydrate (glucose) and oxygen. The chemical formula is 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy = C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Question 5

Do all living plant cells carry out photosynthesis?

Answer 5

No, only in plants because plants are the only cells that contain chloroplasts which contain chlorophyll which sparks photosynthesis

Question 6

What is the equation for aerobic cellular respiration?

Answer 6

C6H12O6+6O2→6C2+6H2O+energy

The equation expressed in words would be:
glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy

Question 7

What is the initial substrate in the glycolysis pathway and the final product?

Answer 7

Glucose is the initial substrate. Pyruvate is the product of glycolysis.

Question 8

Define autotroph

Answer 8

An autotroph is an organism that can make its own food by synthesizing organic nutrients from inorganic materials, using energy from sunlight or a chemical source to drive the process.

Question 9

Define aerobic respiration…

Answer 9

the breakdown of glucose to simple inorganic compounds in the presence of oxygen and with release of energy that is transferred to ATP

Question 10

Define anaerobic respiration…

Answer 10

respiration that occurs without
the involvement of oxygen; the end products of anaerobic respiration in human muscle are lactic acid and carbon dioxide