Bioenergetics - Questions and Answers
Short Answer Questions:
1. Why does the antenna complex contain other pigments with chlorophyll?
The antenna complex contains other pigments, such as carotenoids and phycobilins, to broaden the
spectrum of light absorption. These pigments capture light energy at different wavelengths and
transfer it to chlorophyll for efficient photosynthesis.
2. Why is photosynthesis called a redox process?
Photosynthesis is a redox process because it involves both oxidation and reduction reactions. Water
(HO) is oxidized to oxygen (O), losing electrons, while carbon dioxide (CO) is reduced to glucose
(CHO) by gaining electrons.
3. How is cyclic photophosphorylation helpful in photosynthesis?
Cyclic photophosphorylation helps in ATP production without producing NADPH or oxygen. It
provides additional ATP required for the Calvin cycle when the demand for ATP is higher than
NADPH in the plant cell.
4. Why is ATP called the common energy currency of the living system?
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is called the common energy currency because it stores and transfers
energy for various cellular processes. It is used universally by all living organisms to power
metabolic reactions, muscle contractions, and biosynthesis.
5. Why is the Calvin cycle also called the C3 cycle?
The Calvin cycle is called the C3 cycle because the first stable product formed in the process is a
three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA). This cycle is the primary pathway for carbon
fixation in most plants.
6. Why do CAM plants close their stomata during the daytime?
CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plants close their stomata during the day to minimize water
loss through transpiration. They take in CO at night and store it as malic acid, which is used during
the day for photosynthesis, allowing them to survive in arid conditions.
7. Why does the oxidation of pyruvate provide more energy than lactic acid fermentation?
Oxidation of pyruvate in aerobic respiration yields more energy because it leads to the complete
breakdown of glucose into CO and HO, producing 36-38 ATP molecules. In contrast, lactic acid
fermentation only generates 2 ATP per glucose molecule since it does not involve the electron
transport chain.
Long Answer Questions:
1. Explain in detail the light-independent phase of photosynthesis.
The light-independent phase, also known as the Calvin cycle or the C3 cycle, occurs in the stroma
of chloroplasts. It consists of three main stages: Carbon Fixation (CO attaches to RuBP via
RuBisCO), Reduction (3-PGA converts into G3P using ATP and NADPH), and Regeneration (G3P
reforms RuBP). This cycle must run six times to produce one glucose molecule.
2. What is cellular respiration? Explain types of respiration in detail.
Cellular respiration is the process of ATP generation. It includes Aerobic Respiration (Glycolysis,
Krebs Cycle, and ETC, yielding 36-38 ATP) and Anaerobic Respiration (Fermentation, yielding only
2 ATP).
3. Explain the events that take place in the breaking of glucose in the cytosol.
Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol and consists of three phases: Investment (glucose is
phosphorylated), Cleavage (splitting of 6-carbon sugar into G3P), and Payoff (formation of ATP and
NADH). Net gain: 2 ATP, 2 NADH, and 2 pyruvate per glucose molecule.
4. Discuss cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation during the light reaction.
Photophosphorylation occurs in two ways: Non-Cyclic (involving both PSII and PSI, producing ATP,
NADPH, and O) and Cyclic (only PSI, producing ATP but no NADPH or O). Cyclic
photophosphorylation supplements ATP needs for the Calvin cycle.
5. Describe the tricarboxylic acid cycle in detail.
The Krebs Cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix. Acetyl-CoA enters and combines with
oxaloacetate to form citrate, undergoing oxidation to release CO, NADH, FADH, and ATP. Each turn
of the cycle yields 3 NADH, 1 FADH, 1 ATP, and 2 CO.
6. Explain the alternative mechanism of CO fixation in plants.
Alternative CO fixation mechanisms include C4 (initial fixation in mesophyll cells before transfer to
bundle sheath cells) and CAM (CO uptake at night and storage as malic acid). These mechanisms
reduce photorespiration and water loss.
7. Explain chemiosmosis and oxidative phosphorylation.
Chemiosmosis generates ATP using a proton gradient. In oxidative phosphorylation, electrons from
NADH and FADH pass through the ETC, creating a proton gradient. Protons flow back through ATP
synthase, forming ATP, with oxygen acting as the final electron acceptor to produce water. This
process generates 32-34 ATP.
