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New YorkBiology

Module 2: Energy, photosynthesis and respiration

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do cells store and release the energy they need to do work?

Explain how cells use ATP as their energy currency, how energy is released when ATP is broken down, and how this links to photosynthesis and respiration (NYSSLS LS1, energy and matter; systems and system models).
A NYSSLS-level answer on cellular energy for the New York Life Science: Biology Regents: ATP as the cell's energy currency, how energy is released and stored, and how photosynthesis and respiration supply the energy cells use.
10 min answer →

How do cells release the energy stored in glucose to power the work of life?

Explain how cellular respiration releases energy from glucose to make ATP, compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and relate respiration to the role of the mitochondria (NYSSLS LS1, energy and matter; structure and function).
A NYSSLS-level answer on cellular respiration for the New York Life Science: Biology Regents: how glucose is broken down to release energy as ATP, the equation, the role of mitochondria, and the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
11 min answer →

How do photosynthesis and respiration together move matter and energy through living systems?

Explain how photosynthesis and respiration together cycle carbon and oxygen while energy flows one way, and trace atoms of matter through these processes (NYSSLS LS1, energy and matter; systems and system models).
A NYSSLS-level answer on the cycling of matter and the flow of energy for the New York Life Science: Biology Regents: how photosynthesis and respiration link, why matter is conserved and cycles while energy flows one way, and how to trace atoms through living systems.
10 min answer →

How do enzymes speed up the reactions of metabolism, and why are they so sensitive to their environment?

Explain how enzymes act as biological catalysts, how the active site and substrate fit, and how temperature and pH affect enzyme activity (NYSSLS LS1, structure and function; analyzing data).
A NYSSLS-level answer on enzymes for the New York Life Science: Biology Regents: how enzymes lower activation energy, the active site and substrate fit, and how temperature and pH change the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions.
11 min answer →

How do plants convert light energy into the chemical energy stored in glucose?

Explain how photosynthesis converts light energy, carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, identify where it occurs, and analyze how limiting factors affect its rate (NYSSLS LS1, energy and matter; analyzing data).
A NYSSLS-level answer on photosynthesis for the New York Life Science: Biology Regents: the inputs and outputs, the role of chloroplasts and chlorophyll, the word and balanced equations, and how light, carbon dioxide and temperature limit the rate.
11 min answer →