Bio Notes
(for Hania)
Life Processes
All living things must carry out all of the 8 life processes.
Life Processes: (MRS H. GREN )
• Movement
• Respiration
• Sensitivity
• Homeostasis
• Growth
• Reproduction
• Excretion
• Nutrition
Exam style question:
Q) Why is a virus not considered a living thing:
Ans: It reproduces but does not carry out any of the other life
processes
Enzymes
Enzymes are biological catalysts.
Exam Style Questions:
Temperature
Lower temperature:
How enzymes catalyze: • Below the optimum temperature…
1. The substrate/substrates attaches to the active site of the • The K.E. of the molecules decreases…
enzyme. • So, the number of successful collisions per second
decrease…
2. The enzymes lowers the energy needed for the reaction to • The rate at which the reaction takes place decreases.
start, allowing the products to be formed more quickly.
3. The reaction then takes place and products are formed. Higher temperature:
• Above the optimum temperature the enzymes
*molecules can be split or joined. denature.
• Denaturing permanently changes the shape of the
active site so that the substrate will no longer fit into
• Substrate – The molecule that enzymes acts on. it.
• Active site – The small area on the surface of the enzymes
where the catalyzation takes place.
pH
Either side of the optimum, the pH affects the structure of
the enzyme molecule and changes the shape of its
Factors effecting enzymes: active site, so that the substrate will not fit into it so
• The optimum temperature/pH is the temperature/pH at well, which decreases the rate of the reaction.
which the enzyme functions best.
• Temp/pH that are higher or lower make reactions too slow.
Respiration
Respiration takes place in the mitochondria.
Two types of respiration:
Anaerobic Respiration :
• Aerobic (uses oxygen)
In anaerobic respiration, glucose is not completely broken
• Anaerobic (without oxygen)
down, so less energy is released.
It can occur in situations where oxygen is in short supply.
Aerobic Respiration:
Aerobic respiration is the oxidizing of glucose to release Examples:
energy. Yeast cells (when making wine/beer or rising dough)
Muscle cells (If muscles are overworked, the blood cannot reach
Respiration releases some heat energy, but most is used to them fast enough to deliver enough oxygen for aerobic
make ATP.
respiration)
Uses:
• Heat is used to maintain a constant temperature in the body.
During the exercise, the level of lactate rises in the muscle cells
• ATP (adenosine triphosphate): a substance used to pass and bloodstream. After the exercise, the lactate is respired
energy from respiration to other processes that need it. aerobically in the mitochondria.
When ATP is hydrolyzed it is broken down into ADP(adenosine
diphosphate) and phosphate which releases energy that can be The volume of oxygen needed to completely oxidize the lactate
used to carry out the processes in cells. that builds up in the body during anaerobic respiration is called
the oxygen debt.
