PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Chapter 8.1: Energy & Life
Chemical Energy and ATP
Short for “adenosine triphosphate”. Considered the most important energy related
compound for living organisms.
Consists of:
Storing Energy:
ATP is the “stored” energy
form, which can release
energy by breaking a chemical bond between the last two (2) phosphate groups, thus
becoming ADP. Cells can store only small amounts of ATP at any time.
ADP the “rechargeable” energy form
can be restored to ATP by adding one
(1) more phosphate group to the 2
existing phosphates. This adds
“extra” energy in the chemical bond,
which holds the second and third
phosphates together.
Releasing Energy:
Cells can release energy in a set of controlled reactions, making the release very
efficient. This process simply breaks the bonds between phosphate groups and
chemical energy is released.
Mr. ATP !!!!
Example:
ATP is used to power protein pumps in the cell membrane to help keep the correct
balance of molecules in either side of the cell membrane (active transport).
Using Biochemical Energy:
List of Cellular Activities that
Cells require ATP for many activities. Fill in the box require ATP
Cells need tons of energy, however CANNOT store
large amounts at any given time. Therefore cells
need to have a way to make energy very quickly and
easily. This is the case when cells use food energy to
convert ADP back into ATP.
Heterotrophs & Autotrophs
You know these words. Read page 228 as a
quick refresher
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Cells rely upon ATP as an energy source for all of their activities. The energy being put
into the bonds of ATP has to come from somewhere. The ultimate source of this energy
is the sun. Photosynthesis is the process which converts light energy to chemical bond
energy in the form of glucose. Glucose is then used/consumed by organisms to
synthesize ATP.
CONCEPT: Homeostasis (Ch7.4) requires MANY processes to occur simultaneously and
constantly. Nearly all of these processes require energy in the form of ATP.
Photosynthesis is the ultimate source of energy that allows organisms to be able to
produce ATP, and as a result use it to maintain homeostasis
Chapter 8.1 Practice
For Questions 1–6, complete each statement by writing the correct word or words.
1. __________ is the ability to do work.
2. The main chemical compound cells use for energy is ______________________________
(ATP).
3. ________________ is a 5-carbon sugar molecule that is part of an ATP molecule.
4. The __________ of ATP are the key to its ability to store and supply energy.
5. ATP releases energy when it _____________ bonds between its phosphate groups.
6. Most cells only store enough ATP for ____________________ of activity.
7. Label each part of the diagram of an ATP molecule below.
For Questions 8–10, refer to the Visual Analogy comparing ATP to a charged battery.
8. In the visual analogy, what chemical is
represented by the low battery?
9. What are two ways in which the diagram
shows an increase in energy?
10. Describe the concepts shown in the
diagram.
11. What are two ways in which cells use the energy temporarily stored in ATP?
12. Energy is needed to add a third phosphate group to ADP to make ATP. What is a cell’s
source of this energy?
Heterotrophs and Autotrophs
For Questions 13–17, write True if the statement is true. If the statement is false, change the
underlined word or words to make the statement true.
13. All heterotrophs must eat food to get energy.
14. Autotrophs do not need to eat food because they make food.
15. The energy in food originally came from ATP.
16. The term photosynthesis means “pulling apart with light” in Greek.
17. The energy of sunlight is stored in the chemical bonds of carbohydrates.
18. Complete the table comparing two types of organisms.
Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
Type Description Examples
Autotrophs
Heterotrophs
19. Suppose that you ate a hamburger on a wheat roll with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions
for lunch. As you ate, you took in food molecules from plants and animals. Explain why all
the energy in the food molecules of this hamburger could be traced back to the sun.
