Bioenergetics

Definition

Bioenergetics is the study of how cells transform energy, often focusing on cellular respiration and photosynthesis. It examines the flow of energy through living systems, crucial for understanding metabolism and energy production in cells.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bioenergetics involves processes like cellular respiration and photosynthesis to convert energy into usable forms.
2. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy currency in bioenergetics.
3. Mitochondria play a central role in bioenergetics by generating ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
4. Enzymes are essential in bioenergetic processes as they catalyze metabolic reactions.
5. The laws of thermodynamics govern the principles of bioenergetics, particularly the conservation and transformation of energy.

Review Questions

• What role does ATP play in bioenergetics?
• Which organelle is primarily responsible for ATP production in eukaryotic cells?
• How do enzymes influence bioenergetic processes?

Related terms

Cellular Respiration: A process that converts glucose and oxygen into ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.

Photosynthesis: A process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

Metabolism: The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions within organisms that includes catabolic and anabolic pathways.