Study Guide: Energy

Study Questions

Objective: Define energy and describe applications to living systems.

Use this page to check your understanding of the content.

Vocabulary

  1. Energy
  2. Work
  3. Calorie
  4. calorie
  5. Activation energy
  6. Kinetic energy
  7. Potential energy
  8. Chemical energy
  9. Heat
  10. Nuclear fusion

Study Guide Questions

  1. Compare and contrast several different forms of energy.
  2. Understand the energetic dynamics of chemical bonds.  In other words, know whether energy is USED UP or RELEASED when chemical bonds break and form.
  3. Be able to describe the different forms of energy apparent during the “Death to the Gummy Bear” demonstration.
  4. Define “activation energy” and explain how enzymes affect activation energy.
  5. What is an enzyme?  How are enzymes related to energy in the body?
  6. What is the first law of thermodynamics?  Be able to describe an example illustrating the law.
  7. What is the second law of thermodynamics?  Be able to describe an example illustrating the law.
  8. Be able to trace the source of all energy in living systems.  Your answer should include the source of energy in the sun.
  9. How efficient is photosynthesis?  In other words, what percentage of energy from the sun is actually turned into glucose molecules?
  10. How efficient is cellular respiration?  In other words, what percentage of energy from FOOD is actually turned into ATP?
  11. Know the structure of ATP.  Be able to explain HOW ATP can function as a source of energy in the body.