Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Outline
I. Photosynthesis A. Introduction B. Reactions II. Cellular Respiration A. Introduction B. Reactions

Photosynthesis
Method

of converting sun energy into chemical energy usable by cells Autotrophs: self feeders, organisms capable of making their own food

Photoautotrophs: use sun energy e.g. plants photosynthesis-makes organic compounds (glucose) from light Chemoautotrophs: use chemical energy e.g. bacteria that use sulfide or methane chemosynthesis-makes organic compounds from chemical energy contained in sulfide or methane

Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis

takes place in specialized structures inside plant cells called chloroplasts

Light absorbing pigment molecules e.g. chlorophyll

Overall Reaction
6CO2 +

12 H2O + light energy C6H12O6 + 6O2+ 6H2O

Carbohydrate made is glucose Water appears on both sides because 12 H2O molecules are required and 6 new H2O molecules are made Water is split as a source of electrons from hydrogen atoms releasing O2 as a byproduct Electrons increase potential energy when moved from water to sugar therefore energy is required

Light-dependent Reactions
Overview:

light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll molecules-this light energy excites electrons and boosts them to higher energy levels. They are trapped by electron acceptor molecules that are poised at the start of a neighboring transport system. The electrons fall to a lower energy state, releasing energy that is harnessed to make ATP

Energy Shuttling
Recall

ATP: cellular energy-nucleotide based molecule with 3 phosphate groups bonded to it, when removing the third phosphate group, lots of energy liberated= superb molecule for shuttling energy around within cells. Other energy shuttles-coenzymes (nucleotide based molecules): move electrons and protons around within the cell NADP+, NADPH NAD+, NADP FAD, FADH2

Light-dependent Reactions

Photosystem: light capturing unit, contains chlorophyll, the light capturing pigment Electron transport system: sequence of electron carrier molecules that shuttle electrons, energy released to make ATP Electrons in chlorophyll must be replaced so that cycle may continue-these electrons come from water molecules, Oxygen is liberated from the light reactions Light reactions yield ATP and NADPH used to fuel the reactions of the Calvin cycle (light independent or dark reactions)

Calvin Cycle (light independent or dark reactions)

ATP

and NADPH generated in light reactions used to fuel the reactions which take CO2 and break it apart, then reassemble the carbons into glucose. Called carbon fixation: taking carbon from an inorganic molecule (atmospheric CO2) and making an organic molecule out of it (glucose) Simplified version of how carbon and energy enter the food chain

Harvesting Chemical Energy

So

we see how energy enters food chains (via autotrophs) we can look at how organisms use that energy to fuel their bodies. Plants and animals both use products of photosynthesis (glucose) for metabolic fuel Heterotrophs: must take in energy from outside sources, cannot make their own e.g. animals When we take in glucose (or other carbs), proteins, and fats-these foods dont come to us the way our cells can use them

Cellular Respiration Overview

Transformation

of chemical energy in food into chemical energy cells can use: ATP These reactions proceed the same way in plants and animals. Process is called cellular respiration Overall Reaction:

C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O

Cellular Respiration Overview

Breakdown

of glucose begins in the cytoplasm: the liquid matrix inside the cell At this point life diverges into two forms and two pathways

Anaerobic cellular respiration (aka fermentation) Aerobic cellular respiration

C.R. Reactions
Glycolysis

Series of reactions which break the 6-carbon glucose molecule down into two 3-carbon molecules called pyruvate Process is an ancient one-all organisms from simple bacteria to humans perform it the same way Yields 2 ATP molecules for every one glucose molecule broken down Yields 2 NADH per glucose molecule

Anaerobic Cellular Respiration

Some organisms thrive in environments with little or no oxygen

Marshes, bogs, gut of animals, sewage treatment ponds

No oxygen used= anaerobic Results in no more ATP, final steps in these pathways serve ONLY to regenerate NAD+ so it can return to pick up more electrons and hydrogens in glycolysis. End products such as ethanol and CO2 (single cell fungi (yeast) in beer/bread) or lactic acid (muscle cells)

Aerobic Cellular Respiration

Oxygen

required=aerobic 2 more sets of reactions which occur in a specialized structure within the cell called the mitochondria

1. Krebs Cycle 2. Electron Transport Chain

Krebs Cycle
Completes

the breakdown of glucose

Takes the pyruvate (3-carbons) and breaks it down, the carbon and oxygen atoms end up in CO2 and H2O Hydrogens and electrons are stripped and loaded onto NAD+ and FAD to produce NADH and FADH2

Production

of only 2 more ATP but loads up the coenzymes with H+ and electrons which move to the 3rd stage

Electron Transport Chain

Electron

carriers loaded with electrons and protons from the Krebs cycle move to this chainlike a series of steps (staircase). As electrons drop down stairs, energy released to form a total of 32 ATP Oxygen waits at bottom of staircase, picks up electrons and protons and in doing so becomes water

Energy Tally
36 ATP

for aerobic vs. 2 ATP for anaerobic

2 ATP 2 ATP 32 ATP 36 ATP

Glycolysis Krebs Electron Transport

Anaerobic

organisms cant be too energetic but are important for global recycling of carbon