Biology 1002B Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Electron Acceptor, Cellular Respiration, Electronegativity

• School: Western University
• Department: Biology
• Course: Biology 1002B
• Professor: Denis Maxwell

Document Summary

Cellular respiration: the collection of metabolic reactions within cells that breaks down food molecules (e. g. , carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and uses the liberated free energy to synthesize atp. Atp is the form of chemical energy required for anabolic reactions that occur in a cell. Photosynthesis uses light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into energy-rich organic molecules such as glucose, which, in turn, are oxidized by cellular respiration. Both glucose sand gasoline are good fuel molecules because they contain an abundance of c h bonds. The electrons that form the covalent c h bond are equidistant from both atomic nuclei not strongly held by either: thus, the electrons can be easily removed and used to perform work. In contrast to glucose and gasoline, molecules that contain more oxygen, for example, carbon dioxide, contain less potential energy because oxygen is strongly electronegative.