What is Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)?
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What is Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)?
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is a small and soluble molecule that provides a short-term store of chemical energy that cells can use to do work.
Define the term universal energy currency.
Universal energy currency is a term used to describe ATP because it is used in all organisms and can be reused countless times for different reactions.
True or False?
ATP is a phosphorylated nucleotide.
True.
ATP is a phosphorylated nucleotide.
What does ATPase do?
ATPase is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of ATP, releasing energy quickly and easily where it is needed within the cell.
What are the components of ATP?
The components of ATP are ribose sugar, an adenine base, and three phosphate groups.
True or False?
ATP is stored in living organisms for later use.
False.
ATP is not stored in living organisms; instead, molecules like glucose and fatty acids are used as short-term energy stores, while glycogen, starch, and triglycerides act as long-term energy storage molecules.
What happens when ATP is hydrolysed?
When ATP is hydrolysed, ADP and a phosphate ion (Pi) are produced, and energy is released.
True or False?
When ATP is formed a molecule of water is released.
True.
Water is released when ATP is formed because ATP synthesis is a condensation reaction.
What is the purpose of cell respiration?
The purpose of cell respiration is to release energy in usable forms from the chemical energy stored in food, such as glucose.
True or False?
Cell respiration is a catabolic process.
True.
Cell respiration is a catabolic process.
Define the term aerobic respiration.
Aerobic respiration is the process of breaking down a respiratory substrate, such as glucose, to produce ATP using oxygen, with the substrate being completely oxidised.
What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of ATP yield?
Aerobic respiration yields approximately 36 ATP molecules per glucose molecule, while anaerobic respiration yields only about 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule.
What are the main respiratory substrates used in cell respiration?
The main respiratory substrates used in cell respiration are glucose, lipids, and proteins.
Where does most of the aerobic respiration occur in eukaryotic cells?
Most of the aerobic respiration occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.
What happens to glucose during anaerobic respiration in animals?
During anaerobic respiration in animals, glucose is partially oxidised to form lactic acid.
What by-products are produced in anaerobic respiration in plants and yeasts?
In anaerobic respiration, plants and yeasts produce ethanol and carbon dioxide as by-products.
What is the role of ATP in cell respiration?
In cell respiration, ATP is produced as a result of the controlled release of energy from organic compounds, and it is used to fuel various cellular processes such as muscle contraction, active transport, and anabolic reactions.
True or False?
Oxygen is required for anaerobic respiration.
False.
Oxygen is not required for anaerobic respiration; it occurs in the absence of oxygen.
What factors affect the rate of cell respiration?
Factors affecting the rate of cell respiration include the cell's metabolic activity, size of the organism, oxygen supply, availability of respiratory substrates, temperature, and pH.
How does temperature affect the rate of cell respiration?
The rate of cell respiration increases with temperature up to the optimum temperature of the enzymes involved. Beyond this, the rate decreases as the enzymes denature.
True or False?
Respirometers measure the rate of oxygen consumption during respiration.
True.
Respirometers measure the rate of oxygen consumption during respiration.
What role does potassium hydroxide play in a respirometer experiment?
Potassium hydroxide absorbs the carbon dioxide produced during respiration, reducing air pressure inside the respirometer chamber.
Define the term "metabolically active" in the context of cell respiration.
Metabolically active refers to how much energy a cell requires, with more active cells, like muscle cells, having a higher rate of cell respiration.
What is the purpose of using a water bath in respirometer experiments?
A water bath is used to maintain a constant temperature during respirometer experiments, ensuring accurate and reliable measurements.
How does the size of an organism affect its rate of cell respiration?
Smaller organisms have a higher surface area to volume ratio, leading to higher rates of respiration to compensate for greater heat loss.
What equation is used to calculate the volume of oxygen consumed in a respirometer?
The volume of oxygen consumed (mm³ min⁻¹) is calculated using the equation: πr²h
where r is the radius of the capillary tube, and h is the distance the manometer fluid moves.
True or False?
Lower oxygen availability increases the rate of anaerobic respiration.
True.
When oxygen availability is low, cells increase anaerobic respiration.
Why is it important to repeat respirometer experiments?
Repeating respirometer experiments helps identify anomalies, increases reliability, and allows for calculating a more accurate mean rate of respiration.