Analyze the relationships between biochemical processes and energy use in the cell.
Every organism needs energy to survive and maintain homeostasis*. There are two ways of gaining this energy: photosynthesis and cellular respiration. These two systems exchange and interact.
Photosynthesis - the process by which some organisms (plants, algae, and some bacteria) take energy from the sun and use it to make food in the form of glucose. Photosynthetic organisms trap the energy from the sun and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water to oxygen and glucose. This process can be shown in an equation:
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Carbon Dioxide(6CO2) + Water(6H2O) >>Sunlight>> Oxygen(6O2) + Glucose(C6 H12 O6)
Cellular Respiration - the process by which some organisms (animals, some bacteria) take get energy by breaking down glucose and other food molecules. In cellular respiration,organisms take in oxygen and glucose and produce carbon dioxide, and energy in the form of ATP which they use to carry out cellular functions like active transport*. This process can also be shown in an equation:
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Oxygen (6O2) + Glucose (C6 H12 O6) >>>> Carbon dioxide (6CO2) + Water (6H2O) + Energy (ATP)
If you haven't picked up on it yet, these two processes are basically the opposite of each other. The products of photosynthesis are the reactants of cellular respiration and the products of cellular respiration include the reactants of photosynthesis.
These two systems together form the Carbon-oxygen cycle. This cycle keeps carbon dioxide levels at a good level which is important for a healthy environment. In the last several years the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased drastically. This is mostly due to the excessive use of fossil fuels. Emissions from cars and factories contain more carbon dioxide than the carbon-oxygen cycle handle. This is the cause of global warming and should be a concern for people everywhere.
*Homeostasis- the balance or equilibrium that every living thing must keep with its environment
*Active transport- the movement of materials across the cell membrane that requires the cell's energy, ATP. Active transport as well as passive transport (movement of materials across the cell membrane that does not require energy) are vital to the maintenance of homeostasis.
Works Cited
Biology 4 Kids. "Biology4Kids.com: Microorganisms." Rader's BIOLOGY 4 KIDS.COM - Biology Basics for Everyone!. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.
Edwards, Logan, Austin Hawkins, and Sophie Walton. "Biology Standards." Biology Standards. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.
"Interactive Eukaryotic Cell Model." CELLS Alive!. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.
NHPTV. "Ecosystems - NatureWorks." New Hampshire Public Television | Engage. Connect. Celebrate. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.
North Carolina Public Schools. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.