Exam 2 Questions (Short) Flashcards
Give an example of kinetic and potential energy
A river flowing at a certain speed possesses kinetic energy because the water has a certain mass and velocity (Kinetic), and The tree branches high up in a tree have potential energy because they can fall to the ground (Potential)
How do the laws of thermodynamics explain why life on earth requires the constant input of energy from the sun?
What are enzymes? How do they work?
Enzymes are proteins – primary components of all living organisms. They act as catalysts, which means that they make biochemical reactions happen faster than they would otherwise. Without enzymes, those reactions would not occur or run too slowly to sustain life.
Write the equation for photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
Explain why some wavelengths of light are less useful for photosynthesis.
Wavelengths in sunlight are not all used equally in photosynthesis. Like it contains light-absorbing molecules called pigments that absorb only specific wavelengths of visible light while reflecting others.
What are the reactant and products of the light-dependent and independent reactions?
The light-dependent reactions convert light energy and produce ATP and NADPH. The light-independent reactions use the ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions to reduce carbon dioxide and convert the energy to the energy in carbohydrates such as glucose.
Write the equation for cell respiration.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H20 + energy
Three major steps of cell respiration
Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.
Explain the role of electron transporter (NADH/FADH2)
NADH and FADH2 formed during Glycolysis and Krebs Cycle carry their electrons to the electron transport chain. The electron transport chain creates a proton gradient, producing a large amount of ATP.
How does the concept of membrane transport (both active and passive) apply to the electron transport chain process and the activity of ATP synthase?
The cell expends energy to move a substance against its concentration gradient. The electron transport chain forms a proton gradient across the inner membrane, which drives the synthesis of ATP.
Compare and contrast glycolysis, cellular respiration, and fermentation (where they occur, under what condition, and what they produce)
The results in the oxidation of glucose into CO2 and water. In comparison, fermentation does not fully oxidize glucose. As a result, cellular respiration releases more energy from glucose than from fermentation. It was like the reducing organic molecules were produced as waste.
Why would a cell go through binary fission? Mitosis? Meiosis?
Binary fission occurs primarily in, while mitosis only occurs in eukaryotes. It tends to gain new cells by either mitosis or meiosis. Mitosis is used when a cell needs to be replicated into exact copies of itself.
Describe the significant steps in the cell cycle.
The cell cycle has two major phases: the interphase and the mitotic phase. During interphase, the cell grows, and DNA is replicated.
Describe the significant steps in cell division.
Divided into five stages. The five stages include prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis.
Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of reproducing asexually vs. sexually.
Asexual reproduction is fast and best under favorable conditions while sexual reproduction allows the reproduction of a new generation carries different traits and can adapt better to a changed environment.
