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Energy for Biological Processes

AQA A-level BiologyTopic 1 of 1317 lessons

Revision notes for Energy for Biological Processes in AQA Biology (7402). Every lesson in BrainCake comes with R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps, a quick check and spaced reviews.

  1. ATPATP is the universal energy currency in cells.
  2. ChloroplastsChloroplasts are the site of photosynthesis.
  3. Photosynthetic pigmentsThe main photosynthetic pigment in chloroplasts is the blue-green chlorophyll a.
  4. PhotosystemsPhotosynthetic pigments are arranged in light-harvesting clusters or photosystems in the thylakoid membrane.
  5. Cyclic PhotophosphorylationCyclic photophosphorylation is one of two light-dependent reactions and involves photosystem I only.
  6. Non-cyclic PhotophosphorylationNon-cyclic photophosphorylation involves both PSI and PSII.
  7. ChemiosmosisChemiosmosis is the synthesis of ATP driven by the flow of protons (H+) down a gradient across a membrane.
  8. Calvin CycleATP and reduced NADP from the light-dependent reactions are used in the Calvin cycle which is a light-independent process.
  9. Limiting Factors of PhotosynthesisThe rate of photosynthesis depends on several environmental factors.
  10. Light Intensity as a Limiting FactorLight provides the energy for the light-dependent reaction.
  11. Carbon Dioxide Concentration as a Limiting FactorCarbon dioxide is the source of carbon for the sugars made in photosynthesis.
  12. Temperature as a Limiting FactorTemperature affects photosynthesis mainly through enzymes.
  13. Interpreting Limiting Factor GraphsExam questions often show several curves on one graph, each measured under different conditions.
  14. Effect of Limiting Factors on the Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle has three main steps: RuBP combines with CO2 to form GP (catalysed by rubisco); GP is reduced to triose phosphate (TP) using ATP…
  15. Uses of Triose PhosphateTriose phosphate (TP) is the three-carbon sugar produced in the Calvin cycle when GP is reduced using ATP and reduced NADP.
  16. Investigating the Rate of PhotosynthesisThe rate of photosynthesis can be measured by the rate at which a product is made (oxygen) or a reactant is used up (carbon dioxide).
  17. Agricultural Glasshouses and Limiting FactorsCommercial growers use glasshouses to control the conditions around crops so that the rate of photosynthesis, and so the yield, is as high as…

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