Lecture 11 Flashcards
What do cells need to generate ATP, reduced electron carriers, and organic molecules?
Cells need energy, electrons, and carbon to generate ATP, reduced electron carriers, and organic molecules.
Besides ATP, what else do cells generate during metabolism?
Cells also generate reduced electron carriers, such as NADH and FADH2, during metabolism.
What is the primary energy currency of the cell?
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy currency of the cell.
Why is carbon essential for building cells?
Carbon is needed to build cells because it serves as the backbone for organic molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
What are chemotrophs?
Chemotrophs are organisms that obtain energy from either organic or inorganic molecules.
What are some examples of organic molecules generated during metabolism?
Examples of organic molecules generated during metabolism include precursor metabolites, which serve as building blocks for various cellular components.
What are phototrophs?
Phototrophs are organisms that obtain energy from light.
What are the three types of energy-consuming processes that ATP provides energy for?
ATP provides energy for chemical work (e.g., making molecules), transport (e.g., importing nutrients), and mechanical work (e.g., flagellar rotation).
What is the primary molecule used to conserve energy from the energy source in both chemotrophs and phototrophs?
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary molecule used to conserve energy from the energy source in both chemotrophs and phototrophs.
What is the overall purpose of metabolism in cells?
The overall purpose of metabolism in cells is to obtain energy, electrons, and carbon from nutrients and use them to sustain cellular functions, growth, and reproduction.
Give an example of an energy source for chemotrophs.
Examples of energy sources for chemotrophs include glucose (organic) and hydrogen sulfide (inorganic).
What are precursor metabolites?
Precursor metabolites are simple organic molecules that serve as intermediates in metabolic pathways and are used to synthesize complex biomolecules.
How do autotrophs obtain carbon, and what is their electron source?
Autotrophs obtain carbon from carbon dioxide (CO2). However, CO2 is not their electron source. They obtain energy from other sources such as sunlight (in phototrophs) or inorganic compounds (in chemotrophs).
What are micronutrients, and what are they also known as?
Micronutrients, also known as trace elements, are elements required by organisms in small amounts for specific biochemical reactions.
What are heterotrophs, and how do they obtain carbon?
Heterotrophs are organisms that obtain carbon from organic molecules. These organic molecules often serve as both a carbon source and a source of energy and electrons.
Provide examples of micronutrients or trace elements.
Examples of micronutrients or trace elements include cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni). These elements also serve as cations and function as cofactors for enzymes.
What role do macronutrients play in cellular processes?
Macronutrients serve as building blocks for biomolecules, stabilize cellular structures, and participate in metabolic reactions.
Give examples of biomolecules synthesized using precursor metabolites.
Biomolecules such as amino acids, nucleotides, and fatty acids are synthesized using precursor metabolites.
What are macronutrients?
Macronutrients are elements required by organisms in large amounts for various cellular processes.
Besides serving as building blocks, what other function do elements like potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) serve in cells?
Elements like potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) act as cations and serve as cofactors for enzymes, stabilize cellular structures (e.g., cell wall), and are involved in various cellular processes.
Name the six macronutrients essential for life.
The six macronutrients essential for life are carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P).
Name two processes that require reducing power (electrons) in cells.
Anabolic reactions (e.g., making building blocks) and ATP production through the electron transport chain require reducing power (electrons) in cells.
How are organisms classified based on their electron source?
Organisms are classified into organotrophs and lithotrophs based on their electron source.
What is the role of reducing power (electrons) in cellular processes?
Reducing power (electrons) is essential for anabolic reactions, such as synthesizing building blocks, and for producing ATP through the electron transport chain.