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What does ATP stand for?
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All Flashcards in Topic 3.2
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3.2.112 cards
What does ATP stand for?
**Adenosine triphosphate** — a molecule with **three** phosphate groups.
Why is ATP called the cell's 'energy currency'?
It is the **universal, spendable** form of energy — every energy-requiring process in the cell is paid for in ATP.
Where in ATP is the usable energy stored?
In the **bond to the third phosphate group**.
What is produced when ATP releases its energy?
**ADP + Pi** (adenosine diphosphate + an inorganic phosphate).
Which conversion releases energy: ATP → ADP + Pi, or ADP + Pi → ATP?
**ATP → ADP + Pi** releases energy; **ADP + Pi → ATP** stores it.
What supplies the energy to recharge ADP + Pi back into ATP?
**Cell respiration** — it releases energy from glucose to rebuild ATP.
What is the ATP–ADP cycle?
The continuous interconversion: ATP is broken to **ADP + Pi** (releasing energy) and rebuilt from **ADP + Pi** by respiration (storing energy).
Name two cell processes powered by converting ATP into ADP.
Any two of: **active transport, muscle contraction, synthesis of macromolecules, nerve-impulse transmission**.
Give one feature of ATP that suits it to powering cell processes.
It releases a **small, usable** amount of energy in a **single step** (also: soluble; quickly recharged).
How many phosphate groups do ATP and ADP have?
**ATP has three**; **ADP has two** (one phosphate is removed to release energy).
Is ATP used up permanently, or reused?
**Reused** — each molecule is recharged by respiration and recycled thousands of times a day.
Why is being soluble an advantage for ATP?
Being soluble lets ATP **move freely through the cytoplasm** to wherever in the cell energy is needed.
3.2.212 cards
Why do cells need a constant supply of energy?
For **active transport, building macromolecules, movement and staying organised** — all powered by ATP.
Why can't cells just use the energy in glucose directly?
Glucose's energy must first be **released by respiration**; cells then store a usable share of it in **ATP**.
Define cell respiration.
The **controlled breakdown of glucose** (and other carbon compounds) inside a cell to release energy and regenerate ATP.
What is ATP?
The cell's **immediate, usable energy supply** — its 'energy currency'.
What is the relationship between ATP and ADP?
ATP has three phosphates; removing one gives **ADP**. Adding a phosphate back to ADP (using energy from respiration) **regenerates ATP**.
How is ATP regenerated?
Energy released by **respiring glucose** is used to **add a phosphate to ADP**, remaking ATP.
What happens when a cell USES ATP?
ATP loses its third phosphate, becoming **ADP**, and **energy is released** to do work.
Why is glucose broken down in small steps, not all at once?
Releasing all the energy at once would be **wasteful and could damage the cell**; controlled steps let the cell capture energy in ATP.
What is a respiratory substrate?
The **fuel molecule that is respired** to release energy — most often **glucose**.
Outline how a cell generates ATP.
Respiration **releases energy from glucose**; that energy **adds a phosphate to ADP**, **regenerating ATP**.
In a yeast experiment, what is the function of the sugar (sucrose) added?
It is the **respiratory substrate** — the fuel the yeast **respires to release energy**.
Name three processes a cell spends ATP on.
**Active transport**, **synthesis of macromolecules** (e.g. proteins) and **movement** (e.g. muscle contraction).
3.2.313 cards
What is the key difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
Aerobic respiration **uses oxygen**; anaerobic respiration takes place **without oxygen**.
Define aerobic respiration.
Respiration that **uses oxygen** to break glucose down **fully** into carbon dioxide and water, releasing **a lot** of ATP.
Define anaerobic respiration.
Respiration that happens **without oxygen**; glucose is broken down only **partly**, releasing only **a little** ATP.
Where in the cell does aerobic respiration take place?
In the **mitochondria**.
Where in the cell does anaerobic respiration take place?
In the **cytoplasm**.
What are the products of aerobic respiration?
**Carbon dioxide + water** (in all organisms).
What is the product of anaerobic respiration in animals (and human muscle)?
**Lactate**.
What are the products of anaerobic respiration in yeast?
**Ethanol + carbon dioxide** — the basis of bioethanol, brewing and bread.
Which type of respiration releases more ATP per glucose, and why?
**Aerobic** — because oxygen lets glucose be **fully** broken down, releasing most of its energy.
During intense exercise, what do human muscle cells do when oxygen runs low?
They switch to **anaerobic respiration**, producing **lactate** in the cytoplasm.
How is bioethanol fuel produced?
By **yeast** respiring **anaerobically**: glucose → **ethanol + carbon dioxide**.
What does the prefix 'an-' in 'anaerobic' mean?
'**Without**' — anaerobic respiration happens **without oxygen** (air).
Why does anaerobic respiration release only a little ATP?
Glucose is only **partly** broken down, so **most of its energy stays locked** inside the product (lactate or ethanol).
3.2.412 cards
What does 'respiration rate' mean?
How **fast** an organism respires — usually the **oxygen used** (or **CO₂ produced**) **per unit time**.
What is a respirometer?
Apparatus that measures respiration rate by detecting the **change in gas volume** (usually the **oxygen used up**) as organisms respire.
In a respirometer, why does the coloured liquid move towards the seeds?
The seeds **use up oxygen**, lowering the gas volume, so the liquid is **drawn in**.
Why is potassium hydroxide (KOH) added to a respirometer?
To **absorb the carbon dioxide** released, so the **only** gas change measured is the **oxygen used up**.
Why include a tube of dead (boiled) seeds in a respirometer experiment?
As a **control** — dead seeds don't respire, so the liquid shouldn't move; this proves any movement is caused by **respiration**, not temperature or pressure.
Name four quantities that can be used to measure respiration rate.
**Oxygen used**, **carbon dioxide produced**, **temperature rise**, and **mass lost**.
Which gas does aerobic respiration use up, and which does it release?
It **uses up oxygen** and **releases carbon dioxide**.
How does respiration cause a measurable temperature rise?
Respiration **releases some energy as heat**, so in an insulated flask the temperature climbs — faster respiration gives a faster rise.
Why does respiring tissue lose mass over time?
Carbon leaves the organism as **carbon dioxide gas**, so its **dry mass falls**.
How would an inhibitor such as cyanide affect a respirometer reading?
It **slows or stops** respiration, so **less oxygen is used** and the coloured liquid moves **less** (or not at all).
Why do we measure respiration indirectly?
You can't watch a cell respire, but you **can** measure the gases, heat or mass it changes — so measuring one of these gives the rate.
Why must a respirometer experiment be a fair test?
So any change in the liquid is caused by **respiration alone** — the dead-seed control rules out temperature and pressure effects.
Topic 3.2 study notes
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