Cellular Energy
SOL: BIO 3 d
BIO SOL: 3d
The student will investigate and understand
the chemical and biochemical principles
essential for life.
Key concepts include:
 the capture, storage, transformation, and
flow of energy through the processes of
photosynthesis and respiration.

Cellular Energy

The breakdown of nutrient
molecules enables all cells to store
energy in specific chemicals that
are used to carry out the life
functions of the cell.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the energy
of life.

Principle compound that cells use to store and
release energy
Cellular Energy

Photosynthesis and cell respiration are
complementary processes for cycling
carbon dioxide and oxygen as well as
transferring energy in ecosystems.

The reactions are opposites of each other.
The products produced from one reaction
are the reactants needed to fuel the other.
3 ways to make energy:
1. PHOTOSYNTHESIS - Plant cells and many
microorganisms use solar energy to combine
molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and water
(H2O) into complex, energy-rich organic
compounds (glucose C6H12O6 ) and release
oxygen (O2) into the environment.
3 ways to make energy:
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Carbon dioxide + Water
6CO2 + 6H2O
sunlight
chlorophyll
sunlight
chlorophyll
Glucose + Oxygen
C6H12O6 + 6O2
3 ways to make energy:
PHOTOSYNTHESIS

The process of photosynthesis provides a vital
connection between the sun and the energy
needs of living systems.
3 ways to make energy:
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
3 ways to make energy:
PHOTOSYNTHESIS




Plants gather the sun’s energy with light
absorbing molecules called pigments.
Plant’s principle pigment is chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is green and is contained in the
chloroplasts.
We see pigments that are reflected.
Factors Affecting Photosynthesis:



Water (Plants may have a waxy coating on
leaves to prevent water loss)
Temperature
Intensity of Light
3 ways to make energy:
2. RESPIRATIONOCCURS IN THE MITOCHONDRIA
During cell respiration, eukaryotic cells “burn”
glucose molecules with oxygen, which produces
energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.
This process requires OXYGEN. It is aerobic.
When cells need energy to do work, certain
enzymes release the energy stored in the chemical
bonds of ATP.
3 ways to make energy:
RESPIRATION
Glucose + Oxygen
C6H12O6 + 6O2
Carbon dioxide + Water + ATP
6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
3 ways to make energy:
RESPIRATION



Photosynthesis and Respiration can be
thought of as opposite processes.
Photosynthesis is the process that deposits
energy
Respiration is the process that withdraws
energy
3 ways to make energy:
3. GLYCOLYSIS- (anaerobic respiration)
OCCURS IN THE CYTOPLASM
Also know as FERMENTATION
glucose is broken down without oxygen into
carbon dioxide, ATP, and alcohol
3 ways to make energy:
GLYCOLYSIS
•Yeast and other
unicellular organisms
use this process
3 ways to make energy:
GLYCOLYSIS
•When your
muscles run out of
glucose they will
use this process to
make energy.
Your muscles
produce lactic acid
instead of alcohol.