Week 3 Sci 230 Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
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Assignment: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Energy
Energy may be best defined as anything that produces work and may be seen in many forms. This week’s reading focused on photosynthesis which plants convert energy from a light source (sun) into organic molecules used as food and cellular respiration in which cells gather energy from metabolizing plant molecules. As the definitions would indicate, cellular respiration and photosynthesis are a form of energy, but within these forms one will find other energy processes taking place. In order to better understand these processes I will list them under their prospective source and give a brief definition of their purpose.
Within photosynthesis are the energy forms:
Light-dependent reaction is the first stage of photosynthesis requiring light. Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll which then undergoes a chemical reaction producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (Pruitt & Underwood, 2006, pg. 301-303).
The Calvin-Benson Cycle, also known as light-independent reaction, is the second phase of photosynthesis and does not require light. During this phase carbon dioxide, obtained from the air, is used to produce glucose (Pruitt & Underwood, 2006, pg. 304-305)
Within cellular respiration are the energy forms:
Glycolysis, the first stage of cellular respiration, is the metabolic process that converts glucose (done through several steps) into pyruvic acid (Pruitt & Underwood, 2006, pg. 290-291).
The Krebs Cycle is the second stage and “central pathway in cellular metabolism.” The cycle is a cellular level conversion process that produces high-energy phosphate compounds which serves as a source of energy. It is also the link between aerobic and anaerobic phase that increases ATP synthesis (Pruitt & Underwood, 2006, pg. 292-293).
Electron transport system is the third and final stage of cellular respiration. The system is a series of reactions in which electrons and protons are taken from each hydrogen...
Energy
Energy may be best defined as anything that produces work and may be seen in many forms. This week’s reading focused on photosynthesis which plants convert energy from a light source (sun) into organic molecules used as food and cellular respiration in which cells gather energy from metabolizing plant molecules. As the definitions would indicate, cellular respiration and photosynthesis are a form of energy, but within these forms one will find other energy processes taking place. In order to better understand these processes I will list them under their prospective source and give a brief definition of their purpose.
Within photosynthesis are the energy forms:
Light-dependent reaction is the first stage of photosynthesis requiring light. Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll which then undergoes a chemical reaction producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (Pruitt & Underwood, 2006, pg. 301-303).
The Calvin-Benson Cycle, also known as light-independent reaction, is the second phase of photosynthesis and does not require light. During this phase carbon dioxide, obtained from the air, is used to produce glucose (Pruitt & Underwood, 2006, pg. 304-305)
Within cellular respiration are the energy forms:
Glycolysis, the first stage of cellular respiration, is the metabolic process that converts glucose (done through several steps) into pyruvic acid (Pruitt & Underwood, 2006, pg. 290-291).
The Krebs Cycle is the second stage and “central pathway in cellular metabolism.” The cycle is a cellular level conversion process that produces high-energy phosphate compounds which serves as a source of energy. It is also the link between aerobic and anaerobic phase that increases ATP synthesis (Pruitt & Underwood, 2006, pg. 292-293).
Electron transport system is the third and final stage of cellular respiration. The system is a series of reactions in which electrons and protons are taken from each hydrogen...