AI Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is ATP and why is it important?
ATP is a nucleotide and the energy currency of the cell; it is inert, soluble, easily transported, and releases energy efficiently.
What is the role of ATP synthetase?
It synthesises ATP during chemiosmosis by using the flow of protons across membranes.
What is chemiosmosis?
The flow of protons down an electrochemical gradient through ATP synthetase, driving ATP synthesis.
Where does photosynthesis take place?
In chloroplasts, specifically within the thylakoid membranes and stroma.
What are the products of the light-dependent stage?
ATP and reduced NADP (used in the Calvin cycle).
What is photolysis?
Splitting of water by light to produce electrons, protons, and oxygen.
What is the Z-scheme?
A diagram showing electron flow through Photosystems II and I during non-cyclic photophosphorylation.
What is the role of rubisco in the Calvin cycle?
It catalyses the fixation of CO₂ with RuBP to form 3C GP.
Where does glycolysis occur and what are its products?
In the cytoplasm; produces 2 pyruvate, 2 reduced NAD, and 2 ATP (net).
What is the final electron acceptor in aerobic respiration?
Oxygen, which combines with protons and electrons to form water.
What is produced per glucose during aerobic respiration?
38 ATP (2 from glycolysis, 2 from Krebs, 34 from oxidative phosphorylation).
What happens to pyruvate in anaerobic respiration in animals?
It’s reduced to lactate by accepting hydrogen from reduced NAD.
What is the difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria?
Gram-positive retain crystal violet (thick peptidoglycan), Gram-negative do not (have outer lipopolysaccharide layer).
What are viable counts in microbiology?
Counting only living bacteria capable of forming colonies.
What is aseptic technique used for?
Prevents contamination of the environment and bacterial cultures.
What factors affect population size?
Birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration.
What is a carrying capacity?
The maximum population size an environment can sustain.
What is a fugitive species?
A species that reproduces rapidly and disperses widely but cannot compete well.
What is interspecific competition?
Competition between different species for the same resource.
What is a climax community?
A stable, mature ecosystem with high biodiversity and productivity.
What is the carbon footprint?
The total amount of CO₂ (or equivalents) produced due to actions of an individual, product, or service per year.
How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?
Reduces CO₂ fixation via photosynthesis, increasing atmospheric CO₂ levels.
What are the consequences of the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Global warming, sea level rise, habitat loss, extinction, and changes in species distribution.
What human activities contribute to nitrogen cycle disruption?
Use of fertilisers, deforestation, and overfarming leading to leaching and eutrophication.
