FreeNotes
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is a nucleotide consisting of adenine (a nitrogenous base), ribose (a five-carbon sugar), and three phosphate groups. The energy in ATP is stored in the bonds between the phosphate groups. When a cell needs energy, it breaks the bond between the second and third phosphate groups, releasing energy and converting ATP to … Read more
Aerobic respiration is the process by which cells generate energy in the presence of oxygen. It occurs in three main stages: Glycolysis: This occurs in the cytoplasm where one molecule of glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate. This process produces a small amount of ATP and NADH. Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle): … Read more
An enzyme is a protein molecule that acts as a catalyst to speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed in the process. Enzymes are highly specific for their substrates, meaning each enzyme catalyzes only a particular reaction. They have an active site where the substrate binds, and the enzyme-substrate complex forms. Enzymes lower the activation … Read more
Anaerobic respiration and fermentation play significant roles in certain physiological conditions and in various industries. Anaerobic Respiration allows organisms to generate energy without oxygen, which is crucial during intense physical activities (e.g., when muscles lack sufficient oxygen). In human muscles, this process results in the production of lactic acid, which can lead to muscle fatigue … Read more
Comparison of Respiration and Photosynthesis Respiration and photosynthesis are complementary biochemical processes that sustain life. While photosynthesis captures energy from light to produce glucose and oxygen, respiration breaks down glucose to release energy in the form of ATP. Feature Photosynthesis Respiration Definition Process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical … Read more
The rate of photosynthesis is influenced by several factors: Light intensity: More light increases the rate of photosynthesis up to a point, beyond which the rate plateaus. Light is required to provide energy for the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide concentration: The higher the concentration of CO₂, the faster the photosynthesis rate, as CO₂ … Read more
The dark reactions, or Calvin cycle, occur in the stroma of the chloroplast. During this cycle, carbon dioxide is fixed by the enzyme RuBisCO and converted into a five-carbon sugar called ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP). The cycle produces glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) using the ATP and NADPH from the light reactions. G3P is then used to form glucose … Read more
The light reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast. Chlorophyll absorbs light energy, which excites electrons that are passed through an electron transport chain, producing ATP and NADPH. Water molecules are split during photolysis to release oxygen. The ATP and NADPH produced are then used in the Calvin cycle for synthesizing glucose. … Read more
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a molecule that stores and transfers energy within cells. It consists of an adenine base, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups. The energy is stored in the high-energy bonds between the phosphate groups. When one phosphate group is removed (via hydrolysis), energy is released, which can be used for cellular … Read more
This analogy refers to the specificity of enzymes. The enzyme’s active site is like a lock, and only substrates with the correct shape and chemical properties (the right “key”) can bind to the active site and initiate the reaction. For example, the enzyme amylase only catalyzes the breakdown of starch because its active site is … Read more