Part 5 - Metabolism Flashcards
Define the term metabolism?
All the chemical processes that occur within a living organism
Break down of food to create energy
Photosynthesis -
What is anabolism?
(Biosynthesis) it is the formation/building of new organic compounds. Anabolic reactions require an input of energy to occur and are involved in growth and reproduction
It is the construction of new tissues cells etc
What is catabolism?
Catabolic reactions serve to release energy from the breakdown of biological molecules. Energy I stored in the chemical bonds of organic compounds and also in inorganic compounds
The breakdown of these compounds releases energy
You have already met some chemical processes taking place in living organisms. Can you recall them?
Growth of cells
Define the term biochemical?
The chemical (composition, properties and changes of matter) processes that occur within living organisms.
Define the term biology?
The science of living things
What is chemistry?
The science of the composition, properties and changes of matter
What is a catalyst?
Used in biochemical reactions
They are substances that accelerate chemical reactions without being changed by the reaction themselves
What is an enzyme?
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reactions
What is meant by body maintenance in terms of metabolism?
The destruction of old material in replacement with new
Why is metabolism necessary for life?
For body maintenance, repair and growth
Growth is associated with…..
Anabolism?
Catabolism?
Anabolism and catabolism?
Anabolism
Body maintenance is associated with?
Anabolism?
Catabolism?
Both anabolism and catabolism?
Anabolism and catabolism
What is a metabolic pathway?
It is the formation and breakdown of cells/tissues that occur through a series of steps rather than just one reaction
Both anabolism and catabolism usually occur through a series of steps rather than just one reaction
Why is it important that energy is released through a metabolic pathway?
It is important that energy is released in small steps within a cell as this way the energy can be stored in specific high energy compounds. If the energy was released all in one go it would destroy the cell
Define the term energy?
Ability of an object to do work
What is chemical energy?
Energy stored in fuel (chemical compounds) which is release when chemical reactions take place
What type of energy possesses by virtue of being in motion?
Kinetic energy
What is electrical energy?
Energy transferred by an electric current
What is thermal:heat energy?
Energy of an object due to its temperature
What is nuclear energy?
Energy stored in an atoms nucleus
What type of energy is transferred from the sun through waves and light particles (photons)
What is sound energy?energy transferred via sound waves
What does the law of conservation of energy state?
That energy cannot be created or destroyed, however it can be transformed from one form to another
Can energy be lost?
The law of conservation of energy states that energy can never be lost, it is simply converted into a different form
What is potential energy?
The amount of energy a thing (as a weight raised to a height or a coiled spring) has because of its position or because of the arrangements of its parts
What is the most common molecule used by living thins to transfer energy?
Adenosine triphosphate
ATP
What is ATP?
Adenosine Triphosphate
What does an ATP compound consist of?
Adenine (chemical compound)
Ribose (sugar - 5 carbons atoms)
3 phosphates together
Why is ATP referred to as an energy transfer molecule?
Because of the breakdown (catabolism) of the molecule that results in the release of energy
And the formation of the molecule (anabolism) of ATP that requires an input of energy
What is adenine and where can it be found?
It is a chemical compound and can be found in DNA
If a bond was released for energy from a triphosphate what would be left ?
Diphosphate
What is ribose and what is it made up of?
Ribose is a sugar molecule and it contains 5 carbon atoms
What is photosynthesis?
It the suns energy converted into a chemical energy in a form of organic chemical compounds that can be stored in plants
Example of biosynthesis (anabolism)
Builds up sugar glucose from smaller molecules - carbon dioxide and water
Is photosynthesis an anabolic reaction or catabolic?
Photosynthesis is an anabolic reaction because a large molecule, glucose is made rather than broken down
An important feature of all biosynthetic processes is that they require energy. Can you think what other common feature biosynthetic pathways have?
Biosynthetic pathway reactions are catalysed by enzymes
The organic compound made by the process of photosynthesis is the common sugar, glucose. The chemical energy stored in glucose molecules can be used to power growth and other life processes
How is the energy stored in glucose released?
The energy is released by the chemical breakdown of glucose in steps
It is broken down and transferred to ATP molecules
Define the term anatomy?
The structure of the body
Define the term physiology?
The functions or processes of the body
The way the body works
How can the process of photosynthesis be explained from the perspective of three different sciences?
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
What does the biology of photosynthesis include?
The anatomy (structure l) and physiology (functions or processes) of the parts of a plant (normally leaves) where photosynthesis occurs
What does the chemistry of photosynthesis include?
It includes the chemical molecules (of which chlorophyll is one) and chemical processes that do the work of conversion of light energy into chemical energy
What does the physics of photosynthesis include?
The conversion of energy from one form to another
How and what products react during photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide and water
Reacts with solar energy
This produces glucose and oxygen products
What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?
Co2 + H2o (+ solar energy)
=C6H12O6 +O2
Carbon dioxide + water = glucose and oxygen
How do plants make their food?
Photosynthesis
Using a simple set of ingredients
Carbon dioxide and water with solar energy = glucose and oxygen
What is the key facilitator in plants that uses the energy of the sun to bind carbon dioxide to hydrogen?
Chlorophyll
What is produced in plants as a result of photosynthesis?
Carbohydrates sugars and starches
Glucose and oxygen effectively
What are the 4 key ingredients that drive the level of productively of the material in ecosystems?
Light
Water
Nutrients
CO2
What are 5 environmental variables?
Light Temperature Nutrients Carbon dioxide Water
If environmental variables are unevenly spread out through space and time, how can this affect photosynthesis?
There can be dramatic differences in productivity across the globe and over different time scales
How does light affect photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis requires the energy from sunlight for the process to occur.
Plants grown at the earths poles where there is either 24 hour light or no light are less productive, plants grown at the equator with constant 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark throughout the year. Tropical rainforest (equatorial) are very productive.
How does water affect photosynthesis?
Water is an essential reactant in photosynthesis.
The Okavango delta shows list plant growth near the river, whereas in the desert there is no plant growth
How does carbon dioxide levels affect photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide or CO2 is an essential reactant in photosynthesis.
The concentration of carbon dioxide does not vary much over the plain, but tiny differences in carbon dioxide levels can be observed in dense parts of the rainforest canopy. Human-made emissions can also have an effect on carbon dioxide levels.
How does the nutrient input affect photosynthesis?
Nutrients are essential for plants to live and function metabolically. Lack of specific nutrients is likely to have adverse effects on chlorophyll and other chemical compounds essential in photosynthesis.
How does the temperature affect photosynthesis?
If the temperature is too hot or too cold plants cells can die and photosynthesis will not occur
Define the term metabolic pathway?
Sequences of biochemical reactions, catalysed by enzymes, that occur in living cells; concerned mainly with the exchange of energy and chemicals
How many phases are involved in the metabolic pathway of photosynthesis?
Two
Phase 1
Phase 2
What happens in phase 1 of the metabolic pathway of photosynthesis?
Light reactions
Here solar energy is used to manufacture or synthesise ATP
What happens in phase 2 of the metabolic pathway of photosynthesis?
Dark reactions
Is not dependent on light
The chloroplast is the site of photosynthetic reactions. Where are chloroplasts found in a plant cell?
Chloroplasts are found in the cytoplasm (cytosol) of the cell
What is grana (granum singular) in a chloroplast and what do they contain?
Thy are internal membranes that are folded back on themselves many times to form stacks.
They contain chlorophyll pigments
What is the purpose of starch granules in chloroplasts? What do they contain.
They are made of glucose molecules produced from photosynthesis
Glucose cannot be safely stored in cells but starch molecules can.
Water and carbon dioxide are converted in to ……. by the chloroplast in the process of photosynthesis.
Carbohydrates
What is the purpose of a stroma in a chloroplast?
It is a fluid filled space and is the site of biosynthetic processes that manufacture sugar molecules
This type of compartment is a characteristic feature of cells and is important for the functioning of the chloroplast
In what part of a chloroplast is ATP generated using energy captured from the sun?
Granum (grana pleural)
It houses the light absorbing chlorophyll molecules
What are the reactants in photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide, water and solar energy
What are the products of photosynthesis?
Glucose and oxygen
What is the site of photosynthesis reactions in a cell?
In chloroplasts - which is found in the cytoplasm
Define the term respiration ?
Inhalation and exhalation of air in animals
Define the term cellular respiration?
The pathway of reactions that occurs in cells, oxygen is taken in and utilised.
Oxygen breaks down glucose in a metabolic pathway to create ATP, carbon dioxide and water
Is cellular respiration catabolic or anabolic?
It is a catabolic reaction resulting in the breakdown of oxygen
Why would a cell need to undertake cellular respiration?
Cellular respiration results in the production of ATP, the energy transfer molecule which is used as a fuel for all energy-requiring cellular chemical processes
Is the process of cellular respiration and photosynthesis similar?
It is opposite
If cellular respiration is the reverse of photosynthesis, what is the word and chemical equation process?
Glucose and oxygen —> water and carbon dioxide (and ATP)
C6H12+O2 —>H2O +CO2(+ATP)
What is the difference in the transformation of energy in cellular respiration compared to photosynthesis?
Energy is produced in cellular respiration
Photosynthetic energy is used
Which cellular organelle is associated with energy production?
Mitochondria
They are associated with energy production and are often known as the batteries of the cell and are found in the majority of eukaryotic cells. They produce the majority of the cells ATP
What is it important to remember in both processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration?
That they both catabolise and anabolise in steps
What organelle is responsible for photosynthesis in a plant cell?
Chloroplast
What organelle is responsible for cellular respiration?
Mitochondria
What are the reactants of photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide
Water
Solar energy
What are the products of photosynthesis?
Glucose and oxygen
What are the reactants in cellular respiration?
Glucose and oxygen
What are the products in cellular respiration?
Carbon dioxide
Water
ATP
