AP Biology Unit 3: Cellular Energetics (Scherman Review)

Front

What is a noncompetitive inhibitor?

Back

A noncompetitive inhibitor is a substance that decreases the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction by binding to an allosteric site, not the active site, thus altering the enzyme's function.

Front

What are the three main processes of the Calvin Cycle?

Back

The three main processes of the Calvin Cycle are Carbon Fixation, Reduction, and Regeneration.

Front

How can competitive inhibition of an enzyme be overcome?

Back

Competitive inhibition can be overcome by increasing the substrate concentration, which allows more substrate molecules to compete with the inhibitor for the active site.

Front

What is chemiosmosis in the context of ATP synthase?

Back

Chemiosmosis is the process by which ATP synthase uses the flow of hydrogen ions (H+) down their concentration gradient to synthesize ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.

Front

What does the first law of thermodynamics state?

Back

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Front

What is the role of ATP in cellular energetics?

Back

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) serves as the primary energy currency of the cell, providing energy for various cellular processes.

Front

What is the difference between competitive and noncompetitive inhibition?

Back

Competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor competes with the substrate for the active site, while noncompetitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor binds to an allosteric site, affecting enzyme activity regardless of substrate presence.

Front

What is the significance of the electron transport chain in cellular respiration?

Back

The electron transport chain is crucial for cellular respiration as it generates a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis through chemiosmosis.

Front

What is the function of RuBisCO in the Calvin Cycle?

Back

RuBisCO (ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) catalyzes the first step of the Calvin Cycle, fixing carbon dioxide into an organic molecule.

Front

What is the role of NADPH in photosynthesis?

Back

NADPH is a reducing agent that provides the electrons needed for the reduction phase of the Calvin Cycle, helping to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.