1.What is the chemical equation for cellular respiration.

Question

2.How is citric acid formed in the Krebs cycle
3.What are the steps in cellular respiration
4.The energy for glycolysis comes from which molecule
5.During which step of cellular respiration is carbon dioxide released
6.What are the products and reactants of cellular respiration
7.How do humans control their body temperature using ATP
8.In 3-5 sentences explain how the environment would affect the photosynthetic process of a rainforest plant versus a desert plant. Consider the amount of sunlight and water available in each environment
9.In which season is there more carbon dioxide in the air and why
10.What happens in each of the 3 main steps of cellular respiration

Answer 1

1. Chemical Equation for Cellular Respiration: The overall chemical equation for cellular respiration is: \[ C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + ATP \] This represents glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) reacting with oxygen (O₂) to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

2. Formation of Citric Acid in the Krebs Cycle: In the Krebs cycle, citric acid (or citrate) is formed when acetyl-CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citric acid. The reaction can be described as follows: \[ Acetyl-CoA + Oxaloacetate \rightarrow Citrate + CoA \]

3. Steps in Cellular Respiration: Cellular respiration consists of three main steps:

   • Glycolysis: The breakdown of glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.
   • Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle): The further breakdown of pyruvate into carbon dioxide, generating ATP, NADH, and FADH₂.
   • Electron Transport Chain (ETC): The transfer of electrons through a series of proteins, leading to the production of a large amount of ATP and the reduction of oxygen to form water.

4. Energy for Glycolysis: The energy for glycolysis comes from the splitting of glucose. Glycolysis consumes two molecules of ATP initially but produces four ATP molecules and two NADH, resulting in a net gain of two ATP and energy-carrying NADH.

5. Step of Cellular Respiration where Carbon Dioxide is Released: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is released during both the Krebs cycle and the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. Specifically, CO₂ is produced in the Krebs cycle as acetyl groups are oxidized.

6. Products and Reactants of Cellular Respiration:

   • Reactants: Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂).
   • Products: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and energy in the form of ATP.

7. Regulation of Body Temperature Using ATP: Humans use ATP to power thermogenesis, the process of generating heat. When the body needs to maintain a stable temperature, ATP is used to fuel muscle contractions (shivering) and the activity of brown adipose tissue, which produces heat through non-shivering thermogenesis.

8. Environmental Effects on Photosynthesis: Rainforest plants thrive in environments with high humidity and consistent sunlight, allowing for prolonged and efficient photosynthesis. In contrast, desert plants are adapted to extreme conditions that include intense sunlight and limited water. They may utilize mechanisms such as CAM photosynthesis to conserve water by opening their stomata at night, minimizing water loss during the hot day.

9. Season with More Carbon Dioxide: There is generally more carbon dioxide in the air during the winter months in temperate regions. This increase is largely due to reduced photosynthetic activity as many trees lose their leaves and plants enter dormancy, leading to lower CO₂ uptake while decomposition processes continue to release CO₂.

10. Main Steps of Cellular Respiration:

    • Glycolysis: Occurs in the cytoplasm, where glucose is converted into two molecules of pyruvate, resulting in a net gain of two ATP and two NADH.
    • Krebs Cycle: Takes place in the mitochondria, where pyruvate is further oxidized to CO₂, generating ATP, NADH, and FADH₂.
    • Electron Transport Chain: Located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, electrons are transferred through protein complexes, creating a proton gradient that drives the production of a large amount of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation. Water is formed as oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor.