BIOENERGETICS

What is Bioenergetics?
Bioenergetics is a study that focuses on energy transformations
within living organisms and the efficiency of energy transfers
between different organisms.

All living things use energy, but they use it in different ways.
Consider plants and animals, for example. Plants use energy in
such a manner that causes them to release oxygen as a waste
product, while animals (including humans, of course) require
oxygen as a component to survive.
CELLS
CELL
• The cell is dynamic machine. It has 3 parts to carry its
function:

1. CELL MEMBRANE or PLASMA MEMBRANE

- has two functions namely:

a. protects cell from external environment.
b. controls the movement f substances in and out of the cell.
-Semi-permeable membrane which allows entry of some
substances like water, oxygen and ions.
-Described as a fluid- mosaic model composed of two layers
of fats with proteins and carbohydrates scattered all over.
The liquid layer is called phospholipids
-It is made up of cellulose which provides support and
protection from injury.
 Cell

2. CYTOPLASM – where main metabolic life activities take place.

- found inside the cell membrane.
- composed of water, salts, proteins, fats,
carbohydrates and other chemicals.
-it is a fluid like substance where
organelles/structure are located.

* metabolic – means relating to metabolism

*metabolism – means chemical transformations within the
cells of organisms.
 Cell
Some ORGANELLES found in the cytoplasm:

a. MITOCHRONDRIA-power house of the cell.

-converts food molecules to energy.
-energy produced is important for the vital activities of the cell,
like growth and reproduction.

b. RIBOSOMES – involved in production of proteins or protein synthesis.

c. ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM – divides cells into compartment. They are channels

through which materials are transported in cells.

d. GOLGI COMPLEX – serves as the packaging factories of the cells.

e. LYSOSOMES – spherical sacs that contain powerful digestive enzymes.

- they destroy bacteria and other microorganisms that invade the
cell.
f. PLASTIDS – energy converters
- they harvest solar energy and produce food in the process of
photosynthesis.
 Cell
g. VACUOLES – the storage of food , enzymes and other materials needed by cells.

h. VESICLES – carry substances in and out of the cell like food particles.

I. MICROTUBULES – provide support and movement to the cell.

 Cell
3. NUCLEUS – controls all the activities of the cell.
- it contains the deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) which contains
hereditary materials of the organism transmitted from one generation to
another.
- during cell division, the chromatids form structures called
chromosomes.
- also contains ribonucleic acid (RNA) and proteins.
 Plant cells and Animal cells
Plant cells have cell wall, chloroplasts and central vacuole which are not in
animal cells .
Animal cells have centrioles, cilia an lysosome.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the entire process of capturing light energy to produce food..

Photosynthesis is summarized in the ff. equation:

During photosynthesis, plants carry out three vital energy conversions:

1. Conversion of light energy to electron energy.

2. Conversion of electron energy to short-energy storage (ATP).
3. Conversion of ATP top long term energy storage(sugar)

Consists of two sets of chemical reactions: the light - dependent reactions and the
light independent.

1. Light-dependent Reactions
 Photosynthesis
Consists of two sets of chemical reactions: the light - dependent reactions and the
light independent.

1. Light-dependent Reactions –can take place only in presence of

light(solar energy)
-light-dependent reactions are also called energy-
capturing reactions. They capture solar energy and store it in molecules
that will supply the energy necessary for the next reactions to occur.

Steps:
1. Conversion of light energy to electron energy
- when light strikes chlorophyll an electron gets extra energy and said to
be excited.
2. Splitting of water
- The excited electrons causes the splitting of water molecules into
hydrogen ions and oxygen gas. This is the process of Photolysis. Oxygen
is given off as a waste product.
3. Conversion of electron energy into chemical energy in ATP
- The energy from the excited electrons cause adenosine disphosphate
(ADP) to combine with a phosphate group forming ATP(adenomina
triphosphate)