Review Questions - Chapter 8 How Cells Release Chemical Energy

1. What happens to the CO2 and H2O produced during acetyl-CoA formation and the Krebs cycle?
It is released to the environment (animals and plants). In plants, some of it
may be used in photosynthesis.

2. No matter what the source of energy might be, organisms must convert it to ___ATP_______, a form of
chemical energy that can drive metabolic reactions.
3. Give the overall equation for the aerobic respiratory route; indicate where energy occurs in the equation.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 ———> 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (energy from this reaction is
transferred to ATP, but the majority is lost as heat).

4. In the first of the three stages of aerobic respiration, __glucose________ is partially degraded to pyruvate.
5. Glycolysis occurs in the __cytoplasm________ of the cell.
6. Explain the purpose served by molecules of ATP reacting first with glucose and then with fructose-6-
phosphate in the early part of glycolysis (see Figure 7.4 in the text).

The ATP is “priming the pump”. That is, it is supplying activation energy
for subsequent reactions.

7. Four ATP molecules are produced by __substrate_-__level________ phosphorylation for every

two used during glycolysis. Consult Figure 7.4 in the text.
8. Glycolysis produces ___2_______ (number) NADH, ____2______ (number) ATP (net) and
____2______ (number) pyruvate molecules for each glucose molecule entering the reactions.
9. Consult Figures 7.4 and 7.6 in the text. State the events that happen during the preparatory steps and explain
how the process of acetyl-CoA formation relates glycolysis to the Krebs cycle.

Preparatory Steps and the Krebs Cycle

1. Pyruvate enters the mitochondria and is converted to
acetyl-CoA, which then joins oxaloacetate already present
from a previous “turn” of the cycle.
2. During each turn of the cycle, three carbon atoms enter
(as pyruvate) and three leave as three carbon dioxide
molecules.
3. The pyruvate conversion to acetyl-CoA is the link
from gylcolysis to the Kreb’s cycle.

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10. Explain, in general terms, the role of oxygen in aerobic respiration.

Oxygen joins with the “spent” electrons and H+ to yield water.

11. Consult Figure 7.5 in the text and predict what will happen to the NADH produced during acetyl-CoA
formation and the Krebs cycle.

This NADH enters the Electron Transfer Phosphorylation pathway

were it will supply energy to support the chemo-osmotic production of
ATP.

12. State which factors determine whether the pyruvate (pyruvic acid) produced at the end of glycolysis will enter
into the alcoholic fermentation pathway, the lactate fermentation pathway, or the acetyl-CoA formation
pathway.

Alcoholic Fermentation (Oxygen not present)

a. Fermentation begins with glucose degradation to
pyruvate.
b. Cellular enzymes convert pyruvate to acetaldehyde,
which then accepts electrons from NADH to become
alcohol.
c. Yeasts are valuable in the baking industry (carbon
dioxide byproduct makes dough “rise”) and in
alcoholic beverage production.
Lactate Fermentation (Oxygen not present)
a. Certain bacteria (as in milk) and muscle cells have the
enzymes capable of converting pyruvate to lactate.
b. No additional ATP beyond the net two from glycolysis
is produced but NAD+ is regenerated.
.
Acetyl-CoA Formation Pathway.
a. If oxygen is present, then the pyruvate will enter the
preliminary steps pathway.
b. Pyruvate will react with CoA enzyme to from acetyl CoA.
This in turn hands off acetyl to oxaloacetic acid to become part of the
Kreb’s cycle.

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13. By the end of the second stage of aerobic respiration, which includes the ___Kreb’s_______ cycle, the
carbon chain of __pyruvate________ has been partly degraded to carbon dioxide; the waste product
__water________ is produced at the end of electron trasport phosphorylation.
14. Be able to account for the total net yield of thirty-six ATP molecules produced through aerobic respiration;
that is, state how many ATPs are produced in glycolysis, acetyl-CoA formation, the Krebs cycle, and electron
transport phosphorylation.
• Glycolysis
– 2 ATP formed by substrate-level phosphorylation
• Krebs cycle and preparatory reactions
– 2 ATP formed by substrate-level phosphorylation
• Electron transport phosphorylation
– 32 ATP formed

15. Explain how chemiosmotic theory operates in the mitochondrion to account for the production of ATP
molecules.

• Occurs in the mitochondria (inter membrane)

• Coenzymes (NADH and FADH2) deliver electrons to electron
transfer chains
+
• Electron transfer sets up H ion gradients
+
• Flow of H down gradients powers ATP formation via the enzyme
ATP synthase
• Produces water as a by product

16. Briefly describe the process of electron transport phosphorylation by stating what reactants are needed and
what the products are. State how many ATP molecules are produced through operation of the transport system.

Reactants: NADH, FADH2, ADP, Pi (inorganic phosphate) and oxygen

The reactants, NADH and FADH2, transfer high energy hydrogen electrons to the inter membrane electron
transport molecules and the hydrogen ions are shuttled across this membrane to set up a H+ gradient. The
energy of the gradiant is coupled with ATP formation with the help of ATP synthase. Thus the products below
are formed. Including 32 ATP molecules. Oxygen is the ultimate receiver of the spend electrons and hydrogen
ions. As oxygen is reduced, water is formed.

Products: NAD+, FAD+2, ATP, and water

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17. List some places where there is very little oxygen present and where anaerobic organisms might be found.
The bottom of ponds, swamps, sewers, and hydrothermal vents. Also in
soils and canned foods that have not been properly sterilized.

18. Describe what happens to pyruvate in anaerobic organisms. Then explain the necessity for pyruvate to be
converted to a fermentative product.

Pyruvate is usually converted ohe of the following: ethanol or lactic acid.

By reducing pyruvate, the high energy hydrogen produced in glycolysis is

rendered harmless.

19. You have been fasting for three days, drinking only water and eating no solid food. Tell which stored
molecules your body is using to provide energy, and describe how that is occurring.

Fats (triglycerides). The triglycerides are cleaved into glycerol and fatty
acids. The glycerol (3C) is converted to PGAL, where it enters glycolysis.
The fatty acid chain (18 C) is degraded into acetyls (2C). These 2C
molecules combine with CoA and enter the Kreb’s cycle ultimately
produces ATP, CO2 and H2O via the completion of ETP within the
mitochondria.
20. After reading "Perspective on Life" in the main text, outline the supposed evolutionary sequence of energy-
extraction processes.

Anaerobic consumption of accumulated oceanic organics (energy source

prior to the evolution of photosynthesis) via glycolysis.

Evolution of cyclic photosynthesis (PS 1) and accumulation of

atmospheric oxygen. Non-cyclic photosynthesis evolves later.
.
Evolution of aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen becomes the
dominate form of respiration.

For the most part, the modern biosphere is driven by solar energy. This
energy is used to keep cells highly organized and reproducing (DNA 
next generation of cells and so on…

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21. Closely scrutinize the diagram of the carbon cycle in the Commentary; be able to reproduce the cycle from
memory.

Refer to slide 48, “The Processes

are Linked”, of the PPP for this
chapter for the complete diagram
or your text.