By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain how a circular pathway, such as the citric acid cycle, fundamentally differs from a linear biochemical pathway, such as glycolysis
Describe how pyruvate, the product of glycolysis, is prepared for entry into the citric acid cycle

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Describe how electrons move through the electron transport chain and explain what happens to their energy levels during this process
Explain how a proton (H+) gradient is established and maintained by the electron transport chain

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Describe how feedback inhibition would affect the production of an intermediate or product in a pathway
Identify the mechanism that controls the rate of the transport of electrons through the electron transport chain

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain ATP's role as the cellular energy currency
Describe how energy releases through ATP hydrolysis

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain metabolic pathways and describe the two major types
Discuss how chemical reactions play a role in energy transfer

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Describe the role of enzymes in metabolic pathways
Explain how enzymes function as molecular catalysts
Discuss enzyme regulation by various factors

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Define “energy”
Explain the difference between kinetic and potential energy
Discuss the concepts of free energy and activation energy
Describe endergonic and exergonic reactions

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Discuss the concept of entropy
Explain the first and second laws of thermodynamics

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain the significance of photosynthesis to other living organisms
Describe the main structures involved in photosynthesis
Identify the substrates and products of photosynthesis

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain how plants absorb energy from sunlight
Describe short and long wavelengths of light
Describe how and where photosynthesis takes place within a plant

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Describe the Calvin cycle
Define carbon fixation
Explain how photosynthesis works in the energy cycle of all living organisms

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Understand how electrochemical gradients affect ions
Distinguish between primary active transport and secondary active transport

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Describe endocytosis, including phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis
Understand the process of exocytosis

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Understand the cell membrane fluid mosaic model
Describe phospholipid, protein, and carbohydrate functions in membranes
Discuss membrane fluidity

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain why and how passive transport occurs
Understand the osmosis and diffusion processes
Define tonicity and its relevance to passive transport

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Discuss the role of carbohydrates in cells and in the extracellular materials of animals and plants
Explain carbohydrate classifications
List common monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides