LIFE 102 Lecture Notes - Light-Dependent Reactions, Chloroplast, Phosphofructokinase
Document Summary
Feedback inhibition is the most common mechanism for control. If atp concentration begins to drop, respiration speeds up; when there is plenty of atp, respiration slows down. Control of catabolism is based mainly on regulating the activity of enzymes at strategic points in the catabolic pathway. Photosynthesis is the process that converts solar energy into chemical energy. Directly or indirectly, photosynthesis nourishes almost the entire living world. Autotrophs sustain themselves without eating anything derived from other organisms. Autotrophs are the producers of the biosphere, producing organic molecules from co2 and other inorganic molecules. Almost all plants are photoautotrophs, using the energy of sunlight to make organic molecules from h2o and co2. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, certain other protists, and some prokaryotes. These organisms feed not only themselves but also most of the living world. Heterotrophs obtain their organic material from other organisms. Almost all heterotrophs, including humans, depend on photoautotrophs for food and o2.
