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LS1: From Molecules to Organisms (Biochemistry and Energy)

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

How does cellular respiration release the energy stored in glucose, and how does it connect to photosynthesis?

Use a model to explain how cellular respiration releases energy from glucose as ATP, and how it relates to photosynthesis in cycling matter and energy (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on cellular respiration for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: the overall equation, aerobic respiration in the mitochondria, ATP as the energy currency, anaerobic respiration (fermentation), and how respiration is the reverse of photosynthesis.
12 min answer →

How do enzymes speed up reactions, and what changes their activity?

Construct an explanation of how enzymes lower activation energy to speed up reactions, and how temperature and pH affect enzyme activity (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on enzymes for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: how an enzyme lowers activation energy, the lock-and-key fit of enzyme and substrate, and how temperature, pH, and concentration change the rate, including denaturation.
12 min answer →

What are the four macromolecules of life, and how do their structures suit their functions?

Construct an explanation that the essential functions of life are carried out by the four macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) built from monomers (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on biological macromolecules for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, their monomers, their functions, and why protein shape determines what a protein can do.
13 min answer →

How does photosynthesis capture light energy and store it in sugar?

Use a model to explain how photosynthesis transforms light energy into the chemical energy of sugars, using carbon dioxide and water (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on photosynthesis for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: the overall equation, the reactants and products, the role of chloroplasts and chlorophyll, where the energy goes, and how photosynthesis connects to cellular respiration in the cycling of matter and energy.
12 min answer →

Why is water so important to life, and how do its properties support living things?

Construct an explanation of how the properties of water (polarity, hydrogen bonding, cohesion, and its role as a solvent) support life (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on water for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: why water is polar, how hydrogen bonding produces cohesion, adhesion, a high specific heat, and the ability to dissolve substances, and why these properties matter for cells and organisms.
12 min answer →