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Photosynthesis
process that converts solar energy into chemical energy (i.e. energy-rich compounds)
occurs in plants, algae, certain protists, and some prokaryotes
ANABOLIC: synthesising/makes glucose
6CO2 + 6H2O+ Light energy> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light Energy > Glucose + Oxygen + Water
6CO2 + 12H2O+ Light energy> C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O
Chlorophyll
green pigment in the membranes of thylakoids
light energy absorbed by chlorophyll drives synthesis of organic molec. in chloroplast
CO2 enters and O2 exits the leaf through microscopic pores called stomata
chloroplasts also contain stroma, a dense fluid
Original Equation
1. In 1930 C. B. van Niel showed that O2 given off by photosynthesis comes from H2O and not from CO2.
2. The net equation reads:
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Two Stages of Photosynthesis
1. Light reactions (the photo part) i.e light-dependent reactions
solar/light energy converted to chemical energy of ATP and NADPH
occurs in (molecules) of the THYLAKOIDS (membranes)
this is where the pigment chlorophyll is - light strikes the pigments
What happens?
splits H2O (water molecules are split to provide electrons for photosystem I)
releases O2 (as a by product into atmosphere)
reduce NADP+ to NADPH + (H+)
generate ATP from ADP by photophosphorylation (either cyclic or noncyclic)
this is done through chemiosmosis, which powers the addition of a phosphate group to ADP
i.e. two products/energy-rich compounds: ATP and NADPH (+ H+)
ETC, Chemiosmosis is also part of light-dependent reactions
2. Calvin cycle (the synthesis part) i.e. light-independent reactions
using chemical energy to make organic molecules
i.e. uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 to sugar G3P
occurs in the STROMA
Calvin cycle begins with carbon fixation incorporating CO2 into organic molecules
forms sugar (glucose) from CO2, using ATP and NADPH
return ADP, inorganic phosphate, and NADP+ to the light rxns
Photosynthetic Pigments
substances that absorb visible light
different pigments absorb different wavelengths
chlorophyll a - main photosynthetic pigment
accessory pigments (chlorophyll b), broaden the spectrum used for photosynthesis
carotenoids absorb excessive light that would damage chlorophyll
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Absorption Spectrum
an absorption spectrum is a graph plotting a pigments light absorption versus wavelength
chlorophyll best ABSORBS violet-blue and red light while transmitting and reflect/transmit green light
this means green is the least effective color
Action Spectrum
profiles the relative effectiveness of different wavelengths of radiation in driving the process
Photosystems
consists of a reaction-center complex surrounded by light-harvesting complexes
Reaction center complex special pair of chlorophyll a molecules and a primary electron acceptor
a primary electron acceptor in the reaction center accepts an excited electron from chlorophyll a
Light-harvesting complex each with chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids bound to proteins, which
funnel the energy of photons to the reaction center
Uses light energy to generate ATP and NADPH
PS I vs PS II
PS II functions first and is best at absorbing a wavelength of 680 nm
the reaction-center chlorophyll a of PS II is called P680
PS I is best at absorbing a wavelength of 700 nm
the reaction-center chlorophyll a of PS I is called P700
How do the photosystems work together in using light energy to generate ATP and NADPH?
1. Non-cyclic electron flow
uses both photosystem I and II
photolysis occurs
products: ATP, NADPH, O2
2. Cyclic electron flow
uses only photosystem I
photolysis does not occur
No O2 eleased
No NADPH produced
Produces ATP
generates surplus ATP, satisfying the higher demand in the Calvin cycle
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(Calvin cycle consumes more ATP than NADPH)
Photoexcited electrons from PS I are occasionally shuttled back from Ferredoxin (Fd) to chlorophyll, via
the cytochrome complex and Plastocyanin (Pc), to continue on to P700
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PHOTOPHOSPHORYLATION
Photophosphorylation by chemiosmosis;
Water is split by PS II
Plastoqunione (Pq) transfers electrons to cytochrome complex
A hydrogen ion is removed from the storm when it is taken up by NADP+ i.e. NADP+ reduced to
NADPH
ATP is generated by H+ pumped across thylakoid membrane through ATP synthase;
ATP SYNTHASE: enzyme/protein that makes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate
H+ gradient is created in the thylakoid space;
energy is released as protons pass through ATP synthase
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1.Carbon fixation
Rubisco attaches each CO2 (one at a time) to RuBP (ribulose biphosphate; 5-C sugar) which forms an unstable 6C
sugar > it splits and forms two molecules of PGA (3-phosphoglycerate)
i.e. aka CO2 is attached to RuBP by Rubisco
2. Reduction
PGA (3-phosphoglycerate) receives additional phosphate from ATP>1,3- bisphosphoglycerate
1,3-bisphosphoglycerate will be reduced, as it receives a pair of electrons, donated from NADPH > G3P
ATP and NADPH are incorporated into G3P, making it very energy rich
3. Regeneration of RuBP
(5) molecules of G3P rearranged into (3) molecules of RuBP (which is the CO2 acceptor)
RuBP is thus generated to begin the cycle again
C4 Plants
The C4 plants fix CO2 in a four-carbon compound as its first product
plants such as sugarcane and corn use this pathway
In C4 plants, mesophyll cells incorporate CO2 into organic molecules.
The key enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEP Carboxlyase), adds CO2 to phosphoenolpyruvate
(PEP) to form oxaloacetetate.
PEP carboxylase has a very high affinity for CO2 and can fix CO2 efficiently when rubisco cannot - on hot, dry
days with the stomata closed.
In effect, the mesophyll cells pump CO2 into the bundle sheath cells, keeping CO2 levels high enough for
rubisco to accept CO2 and not O2.
C4 photosynthesis minimizes photorespiration and enhances sugar production.
C4 plants thrive in hot regions with intense sunlight.
CAM
A 2nd strategy to minimize photorespiration is found in succulent (i.e. water-storing) plants, cacti, pineapples
These plants, known as CAM plants for crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), open stomata during the night
and close them during the day.
closing stomata in the day: helps desert plants conserve H2O and prevents CO2 from entering the leaves
opening stomata in the night: plants take up/fix CO2 and incorporate it into a variety of organic acids in
mesophyll cells
During the day, the light reactions supply ATP and NADPH to the Calvin cycle and CO2 is released from the
organic acids.
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Cellular Respiration
Cellular Respiration: A CATABOLIC process
objective: harvesting chemical energy / CATABOLIC: breaking down chemical energy/energy-rich organic
compounds (glucose) to synthesise ATP/produce energy
photosynthesis generates O2 and organic molecules, which are used in cellular respiration
C6H12O6 + 6 O2 > 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + Energy (ATP + heat)
Catabolic Pathways
fermentation - partial degradation of sugars that occurs without O2
aerobic respiration consumes organic molecules and O2 and yields ATP
anaerobic respiration consumes compounds other than O2
Stepwise Energy Harvest via NAD+ and the Electron Transport Chain
in cellular respiration, glucose and other organic molecules are broken down in a series of steps
electrons from organic compounds are usually first transferred to NAD+, a coenzyme
NAD+ functions as an oxidizing agent during cellular respiration
it accepts electrons from other molecules and becomes reduced.
NADH is a reducing agent because it has room to lose electrons so it will be oxidized
each NADH (the reduced form of NAD+) represents stored energy (i.e an energy carrier) that fuels proton
gradient used to synthesize ATP
Equation
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Reduction = addition of hydrogen or electrons or removal of oxygen
Oxidation = removal of hydrogen or electrons or addition of oxygen
Glucose oxidized
reducing agent
O2 reduced
oxidizing agent
ATP STRUCTURE
stands for adenosine triphosphate
The ones between phosphate groups can be broken by hydrolysis
Hydrolysis of the end phosphate group forms adenosine diposphaste (ATP >ADP +Pi)
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end result - 2 molecules of pyruvate, net of 2 ATP, 2 NADH, 2 H2O
(aka 1 glucose in = 2 ATP: 2 NADH: 2H20; 2 pyruvate out)
acetyl CoA is fed to/enters the citric acid cycle for further OXIDATION
end result - 1 Acetyl CoA, 1 NADH and 1 CO2
CHEMIOSMOSIS
chemiosmosis: process in which energy stored in the form of an existing H+/proton gradient across a
membrane is used to drive cellular work/to power ATP synthesis
H+ passes down a concentration gradient through ATP synthase
ATP synthase harnesses the proton motive to force phosphorylate ADP, forming ATP
ATP Synthase: a proton complex which actually makes ATP from ADP and Pi
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an energy converter uses the exergonic flow of electrons to pump H+ across the membrane;
Energy released produces ATP
Yields 32-34 per glucose molecule
1. Electron carried by NADH are transferred to first molecule the ETC, flavoprotein
2. NADH and FADH2 shuttle high-energy electrons extracted from glycolysis and citric acid cycle / the
electron continue along the chain which includes several cytochrome proteins and one lipid carrier
3. Two mobile carriers, Ubiquinone (Q) and Cytochrome C (Cyt c), move rapidly, ferrying electrons
between the complexes
4. Protons are being pumped from mitochondrial matrix to inter membrane space
5. FADH2 deposits its electron via complex II, where NADH deposits its electron via complex I, which is
of a higher energy level
The electrons carried by FADH2 have lower free energy and are added to a later point
How does energy flow: glucose > NADH > ETC > proton-motive force > ATP
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Fermentation and Anaerobic Respiration
glycolysis can produce ATP with or without O2 (in aerobic or anaerobic conditions)
includes glycolysis; occurs in the CYTOSOL
Fermentation uses substrate level phosphorylation thus there must be a sufficenty supply of NAD+
anaerobic respiration: no O2 BUT an ETC is used
fermentation: no O2 & ETC used to generate ATP
consists of glycolysis plus reactions that regenerate NAD+, which can be reused by glycolysis
NAD+ not converted to NADH
2 Types of Fermentation:
alcohol fermentation
pyruvate is converted to ethanol in two steps, with the first releasing CO2
used in brewing, winemaking, and baking (yeast)
lactic acid fermentation
pyruvate is reduced to NADH, forming lactate as an end product, with no release of CO2
used to make cheese & yogurt (fungi and bacteria) ,used by human muscle to generate ATP when
O2 is scarce
In animal cells, pyruvate will be broken down further into lactic acid
Animal; Lactic acid (lactate)
Interphase
Interphase (about 90% of the cell cycle) can be divided into subphases:
G1 - growth (of cell) first gap
S - growth and DNA synthesis
G2 - growth and preparation for cell vision second gap
the cell grows during all three phases, but chromosomes are duplicated only during the S phase
Each duplicated chromosome, prior to division, is held together at the centromere.
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Mitotic Phase
Mitosis - nuclear division
Cytokinesis - division of the cytoplasm
ANIMAL CELLS; The sign of cytokinesis in animals (cleave) is the appearance of a cleavage furrow
PLANT CELLS; During telophase in plants, vesicles from the Golgi coalesce (phragmoplast) at the
metaphase plate, forming a cell plate
MITOSIS
chromosomes arent homologous, they are just replicated i.e. no homologous chromosomes
results in TWO DIPLOID CELLS - two genetically identical nuclei
MEIOSIS
1. Prophase II: spindle apparatus forms, chromosomes move towards Meiosis II plate
2. Metaphase II: chromosomes are positioned on the plate
3. Anaphase II: centromeres of each chromosomes separate, sister chromatids separate
non-disjunction occurs
4. Telophase II: chromosomes decondense, cytokinesis occurs
MEIOSIS VS MITOSIS
Mitosis: Somatic cells - 23 PAIRS - 46 chromosomes - 2n
Meiosis: Gametes - 23 chromosomes - n
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CELL CYCLE CONTROL SYSTEM
Cell Cycle Control System
The distinct events of the cell cycle are directed by a distinct cell cycle control system.
These molecules trigger and coordinate key events in the cell cycle.
The control cycle has a built-in clock, but it is also regulated by external adjustments and internal controls.
CHECKPOINTS: a critical control point where stop and go signals regulate the cycle
(3) major checkpoints are found in the G1, G2, and M phases.
Cyclin - a class of proteins that fluctuate in concentration at specific points during the cell cycle and that regulate the
cycle by binding to a kinase.
CDK= Cyclin-dependent kinases, which are a family
of protein kinases first discovered for their role in regulating the cell cycle.
MPF = maturation-promoting factor/ M-phase-promoting factor
Cyclin levels rise sharply throughout interphase, then fall abruptly during mitosis.
Peaks in the activity of one cyclin-Cdk complex, MPF, correspond to peaks in cyclin concentration.
Fibroblasts in culture will only divide in the presence of medium that also contains PDGF.
benign tumor: abnormal cells REMAIN at the original site if they have too FEW genetic and cellular changes to
survive at another site; these do not cause serious problems and can be removed by surgery
malignant tumor: cells whose genetic and cellular changes enable them to spread to new tissues and impair
functions of one or more organs
anchorage dependence: to divide, they must be attached to a substratum
metastasis: spread of cancer cells to locations distant from the original site
Cancer cells are free of both density-dependent inhibition and anchorage dependence.
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