Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration Study Guide
1. What is ATP and describe the cycle between ATP and ADP.
ATP (andesine triphosphate) is an energy storing molecule. When a phosphate breaks off (2nd & 3rd
bond) from ATP, it releases energy forming ADP (andesine diphosphate). When a phosphate bonds to
ADP, it stores energy and form ATP in a cycle.
2. Define aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration.
Aerobic uses oxygen after the breakdown of glucose in glycolysis to form ATP molecules.
Anaerobic forms ATP molecules without the presence of oxygen after glycolysis.
3. Describe the functions of both energy making organelles:
a. Chloroplasts – site of photosynthesis, contained in leaves because of large surface area, chlorophyll is
most abundant of all pigments (reflects green)
b. Mitochondria – site of cellular respiration, contain their own DNA, release the energy in glucose
4. Describe the reactants and products for both energy making processes by examining the equations:
a. Photosynthesis – converts solar energy into chemical energy
b. Cellular Respiration - converts chemical energy in foods to a useable form (ATP) for cellular functions
5. Describe the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
The products of photosynthesis are the reactants of cellular respiration. The products of cellular
respiration are the reactants of photosynthesis.
6. Describe the three stages of aerobic cellular respiration:
a. Glycolysis
i. Aerobic or Anaerobic: Anaerobic
ii. # of ATP: 2 ATPs used in the breakdown of glucose producing total of 4 ATPs = 2 net ATPs
iii. Where it occurs: cytoplasm
iv. byproducts: 2 pyruvate molecules
b. Citric Acid (Krebs) Cycle
i. Aerobic or Anaerobic: Aerobic
ii. # of ATP: 2
iii. Where it occurs: mitochondria
iv. byproducts: CO2
c. Electron Transport Chain
i. Aerobic or Anaerobic: Aerobic
ii. # of ATP: 32
iii. Where it occurs: mitochondria
iv. byproducts: H2O
d. Total number of ATPs in aerobic cellular respiration = 38
Total usable ATPs = 36
7. Describe the process of both types of fermentation:
a. Lactic acid:
i. Aerobic or Anaerobic: Anaerobic
ii. # of ATP: 2
iii. Where it occurs: cytoplasm
iv. byproducts: Lactic acid
b. Alcoholic:
i. Aerobic or Anaerobic: Anaerobic
ii. # of ATP: 2
iii. Where it occurs: cytoplasm
iv. byproducts: Alcohol & CO2
8. Compare and contrast photosynthesis versus aerobic cellular respiration.
Photosynthesis
1. Glucose made.
2. Energy from sun is stored in
glucose.
3. CO2 taken in.
4. O2 given off.
5. Glucose is produced.
6. Need Sunlight & chlorophyll.
7. Occurs in Chloroplast.
8. 2 Steps: Light & Dark Cycles.
9. Only in photosynthetic
organisms.
10. 6 H2O + 6CO2 + sunlight
 C6H12O6 + 6O2
Aerobic Cellular Respiration
1. Glucose broken down/used.
2. Energy from glucose is
released.
3. CO2 given off.
4. O2 taken in.
5. CO2 & H2O produced.
6. Needs glucose & O2.
7. Occurs in Mitochondria.
8. 3 Steps: Glycolysis, Citric
Acid Cycle, Electron
Transport Chain.
9. Happens in all living cells.
10. C6H12O6 + 6O2  6 H2O
+ 6CO2 + 36 ATP
Cumulative Section
Carbohydrates
1. Functions – provide a source of cellular energy
Proteins
1. Enzymes – ends in -ase
a. Functions: 1) increases chemical reactions by 2) lowering the activation energy needed to start
b. Parts of the enzyme-substrate complex
i. Substrate
ii. Enzyme
iii. Products
iv. Activation site
c. Define denature – when the enzyme’s shape changes where the substrate can no longer bind with it
i. What causes an enzyme to denature? High/Low – temperature and pH
Cells
1. Describe the functions of the following structure and organelle:
a. Plasma membrane – regulates the movement of materials in and out of the cell
b. Mitochondria – converts chemical energy in foods to a useable form (ATP) for cellular functions
Cellular Transport
1. Define selectively (semi) permeable membrane – allowing some molecules to enter and leave the cell
2. Define the parts of a solution:
a. Solvent – does the dissolving (75% of our body is made of water)
b. Solute – what gets dissolved (sugar, salt, etc.)
3. Define passive transport
a. Define the three types of passive transport
i. Diffusion – the movement of molecules (solutes) from high  low concentrations
ii. Osmosis – diffusion of water moving from high  low concentrations AND towards higher
concentration of solute (salt sucks water towards it)
iii. Facilitated diffusion – passive transport that allows substances to cross membranes with the
assistance of a carrier protein (enzyme)
4. Define active transport – 1) carrier proteins (enzyme)
2) energy- ATP
3) low  high concentrations
a. Describe the following examples of active transport:
i. Endocytosis – energy using process which cells absorb molecules by engulfing them
ii. Exocytosis – energy using process which a cell directs the contents of secretory vesicles out of
cell and into the extracellular space
5. What happens when a cell is dropped into the following osmotic solutions (describe the concentrations):
a. Hypotonic – swell, turgor pressure (plants)
b. Hypertonic – shrink, plasmolysis (plants)
c. Isotonic – same rate
6. Define homeostasis – the tendency of an organism or cell to regulate its internal conditions, usually by a system
of (negative/positive) feedback controls, so to stabilize functioning, regardless of the outside changing
conditions (stimulus/response system)
a. Describe the following types of homeostasis:
i. Diabetes – With the consumption of food, glucose levels in the blood increases. The increase
glucose level stimulates the pancreas. The pancreas responds by making insulin which converts
glucose into glycogen and stores it in the liver.
ii. Sweating – When the internal body temperature rises, the body cools off by sweating or
evaporation of water through the skin
iii. Shivering – When the internal body temperature decreases, the molecules are stimulated to
gain heat