Question

in your own words, what does \energy conversion\ mean?
your answer

why is a wind turbine a good analogy for how cells use energy?
your answer

what is the main function of atp in the cell? give one example of a cell job that \spends\ atp.
your answer

fill in the blank: __________ uses light to make glucose
your answer

fill in the blank: __________ breaks down glucose to make atp

Explanation:

1. Energy conversion is the process of changing one form of energy into another. For example, in a battery - chemical energy is converted to electrical energy.
2. A wind turbine is a good analogy for how cells use energy because a wind turbine takes in kinetic energy from the wind and converts it into electrical energy. Similarly, cells take in nutrients (like glucose) and convert the chemical energy stored in them into ATP, the cell's energy - currency.
3. The main function of ATP in the cell is to store and transfer energy for cellular processes. An example of a cell job that "spends" ATP is active transport, where cells use energy to move substances against their concentration gradient.
4. Photosynthesis uses light to make glucose. Plants contain chlorophyll which captures light energy and uses it to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
5. Cellular respiration breaks down glucose to make ATP. It is a series of metabolic reactions that occur in the mitochondria (in eukaryotes) to release energy stored in glucose and transfer it to ATP.

Answer:

1. Energy conversion is changing one energy form to another.
2. Wind turbines convert wind kinetic energy to electricity like cells convert nutrient energy to ATP.
3. Main function of ATP is energy storage and transfer; active transport spends ATP.
4. Photosynthesis
5. Cellular respiration