Why explain the metabolic pathways involved in the capture and release of energy in cells?

Every time you move—or even breathe—you’re using energy. All living things are continually using energy; thus, they need a way to obtain new energy.

Plants (and other autotrophs) undergo photosynthesis, which is a process that allows them to convert light energy (from the sun) to chemical potential energy. Humans (and other heterotrophs) on the other hand must consume something that has chemical potential energy (like plants or other animals) and convert it into a form our body can use. This process is known as cellular respiration.

Watch this 5-minute video for an overview of why even small changes in the global climate have the potential for big impacts on our daily lives through our food sources.

• What role does farming play in giving us energy to use every day?
• How do plants get energy to grow, and how do we then get our energy from them?

Ok, let’s see where we get all the energy to stay awake during biology class!

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the role movement of electrons plays in energy exchanges in cells
• Identify the basic components and steps of photosynthesis
• Identify the reactants and products of cellular respiration and where these reactions occur in a cell
• Illustrate the basic components and steps of fermentation