Chapter 12 Study Questions

Chapter 12 Study Questions

  1. Is the main function of aerobic respiration the production of ATP? Explain your answer. What are the respective contributions of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation to the cellular ATP pool?


    2. Textbook Reference: Overview of Plant Respiration, pp. 317–321; Mitochondrial Electron Transport and ATP Synthesis, pp. 339–340

  2. Compare and contrast the flow of oxygen and CO2 in photosynthesis and respiration.


    3. Textbook Reference: Overview of Plant Respiration, pp. 317–321

  3. Describe the steps whereby a molecule of sucrose is oxidized to CO2 in glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the citric acid cycle. During which steps is CO2 released, and during which steps is energy conserved?


    4. Textbook Reference: Overview of Plant Respiration, p. 320; The Oxidative Pentose Phosphate Pathway, p. 325; The Citric Acid Cycle, p. 328

  4. What are the metabolic advantages and disadvantages of anaerobic fermentation?


    5. Textbook Reference: Glycolysis, pp. 323–324

  5. Why is the malic enzyme necessary for mitochondrial oxidation of stored malate? Why can’t malate enter the citric acid cycle via the malate dehydrogenase reaction?


    6. Textbook Reference: The Citric Acid Cycle, p. 328

  6. Compare the electron transport chains in mitochondria and chloroplasts with respect to membrane gradients and energy conservation.


    7. Textbook Reference: Mitochondrial Electron Transport and ATP Synthesis, p. 331

  7. How do mitochondria exchange metabolites with the rest of the cell? In which cases does the exchange cost energy, and where is this energy derived from?


    8. Textbook Reference: Mitochondrial Electron Transport and ATP Synthesis, pp. 334–335

  8. Which enzyme is responsible for cyanide-resistance respiration in plants? What are the energetic consequences of cyanide-resistance respiration?


    9. Textbook Reference: Mitochondrial Electron Transport and ATP Synthesis, pp. 332–333, 336–338

  9. What is the general chemical structure of triacylglycerols? Where are triacylglycerols stored? What determines whether triacylglycerols are oils or fats?


    10. Textbook Reference: Lipid Metabolism, pp. 343–344

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