CELLULAR RESPIRATION AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Instructions: Answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Each question is
worth 10 points.

What is the role of ATP in cellular respiration?

1. Answer: ATP is the primary energy source for most cellular processes, including
cellular respiration. It provides energy for the conversion of glucose into ATP,
which can then be used to power cellular processes.
Explain how the process of glycolysis is regulated.

2. Answer: Glycolysis is regulated through the feedback inhibition of key enzymes in

the pathway. For example, high levels of ATP will inhibit the enzyme
phosphofructokinase, which is a key enzyme in the pathway.
Describe the role of the electron transport chain in cellular respiration.

3. Answer: The electron transport chain is a series of proteins and electron carriers
located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It is responsible for generating a
proton gradient across the membrane, which drives the synthesis of ATP.
Compare and contrast the processes of oxidative phosphorylation and substrate-level
phosphorylation.

4. Answer: Oxidative phosphorylation involves the generation of ATP through the

electron transport chain, while substrate-level phosphorylation involves the direct
transfer of a phosphate group from a high-energy molecule to ADP to generate
ATP. Oxidative phosphorylation is more efficient and generates more ATP than
substrate-level phosphorylation.
How do the light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis work
together?

5. Answer: The light-dependent reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of the

chloroplasts and generate ATP and NADPH. These energy-rich molecules are
then used in the light-independent reactions, which occur in the stroma of the
chloroplasts, to generate glucose from carbon dioxide.
Explain how the concentration gradient is generated during the light-dependent
reactions of photosynthesis.

6. Answer: The concentration gradient is generated by the movement of protons

across the thylakoid membrane, from the stroma to the thylakoid lumen, through
the protein complex ATP synthase. This movement is driven by the energy
released by the electron transport chain.
Describe the role of rubisco in the Calvin cycle.
 7. Answer: Rubisco is the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the first step in the
Calvin cycle, which is the fixation of carbon dioxide. It adds carbon dioxide to a
five-carbon molecule, creating a six-carbon molecule that eventually becomes
glucose.
Compare and contrast the structure of chloroplasts and mitochondria.

8. Answer: Chloroplasts and mitochondria both have a double membrane structure,

but the inner membrane of the chloroplasts is arranged in flattened sacs called
thylakoids, while the inner membrane of the mitochondria is arranged in folds
called cristae. Chloroplasts also contain chlorophyll and other pigments, while
mitochondria do not.
Explain how CAM plants adapt to their environment.

9. Answer: CAM plants adapt to their environment by opening their stomata at night
to take in carbon dioxide and store it as an organic acid. During the day, the
stomata are closed to conserve water, and the stored carbon dioxide is used in
the Calvin cycle to generate glucose.
Describe the role of the cytochrome complex in the electron transport chain.

10. Answer: The cytochrome complex is a protein complex located in the inner
mitochondrial membrane that is responsible for transferring electrons between
the various electron carriers in the electron transport chain. It also pumps
protons across the membrane, generating a concentration gradient that drives
ATP synthesis.