Cell Processes

and Energy
Chapter 4

4.1 Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which a cell captures energy in sunlight to convert
carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugars (food).
Almost all living things get energy either directly from the sun by photosynthesis or
indirectly by eating a plant or an animal that ate a plant.
Autotrophs (plants) make their own food through photosynthesis.
Heterotrophs get energy by eating other organisms.
Chloroplasts, found in leaf cells, have chlorophyll which captures light energy to
power photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis continued
Plants need light, water, and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis to occur.
Carbon dioxide enters the plant through small openings on the undersides of the
leaves called stomata.
The products of photosynthesis are glucose(a sugar C6H12O6), and oxygen.

Plants use the sugar for food and energy to carry out the cells functions, and the
rest is stored.

4.2 Respiration

In respiration, plant and animal cells break down simple food molecules like sugar
(or glucose) and release the energy they contain.
In photosynthesis the cells captures energy and stores it in the form of
carbohydrates; respiration breaks down these carbohydrates to release the
energy.
In the first phase of respiration the molecules are broken down into smaller
molecules, without oxygen, and a little energy is released.
The second phase is in the mitochondria. Oxygen is required and a great deal of
energy is released.
When you breathe in you take in oxygen (needed for respiration) and when you
breathe out carbon dioxide, it is the product of respiration.

Fermentation
Respiration is the opposite equation of photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, sugar
and oxygen are the products, and they are needed for respiration. In respiration,
carbon dioxide and water are the products, and they are needed for photosynthesis.
Fermentation provides energy for cells without using oxygen.
Alcoholic fermentation is important in the making of breads as well as alcohol.
Lactic acid fermentation occurs when your muscles do not receive enough oxygen.
When it builds up, your muscles feel weak and sore.

4.4 Cell Differentiation

As cells differentiate, they become different from each other. They also form
groups made of similarly specialized cells that form tissues and organs.
As cells differentiate in structure, they begin to carry out different functions (leaf
cells, root cells).
Groups of cells become tissues, groups of tissues become organs, groups of organs
become organ systems.
During development cells become set on how they will differentiate. It occurs
when certain sections of DNA are turned off, and the active DNA guides how
the cell develops.
Stem cells can differentiate throughout life and can respond to specific needs in
the body by becoming specialized.