Explain the difference between C3, C4 and CAM plants in terms of their photosynthesis

The difference between C3, C4, amd CAM plants is their process of light and dark reactions. Each type of plant uses an alternative mechanism of carbon fixation that has evolved in hot, arid climates.

In C plants, carbon dioxide enters the Calvin cycle and the first product that results form carbon fixation is 3-phosphoglycerate. C3 plants close their stomata on hot, dry days to limit water loss. In doing this, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the leaf air space falls, which causes the Calvin cycle to slow down

Examples of C3 plants: (Rice, Wheat, Soybean)

C4 plants open their stomata during the day. In C4 plants, carbon dioxide is added to a 3-carbon compound, known as PEP, with the aid of PEP carboxylase, which has a high affinity for carbon dioxide. The resulting four-carbon compound is formed in the mesophyll cells of a leaf and is transported to the bundlesheath cells tightly packed around the veins inside of a leaf. This compound is then broken down to release the carbon dioxide, creating concentrations high enough that rubisco will accept the carbon dioxide and initiate the Calvin cycle.

CAM plants open their stomata during the night. They perform the reverse of regular plants for photosynthesis. The light reactions are performed during the night while the dark reactions are carried out during the day.

Comparison of C4 and CAM plants:

What I learned about macromolecules and how does the structure of a macromolecule affect its function?

The structure of a polymeric macromolecule consists of repeating units called monomers, the building blocks of a polymer, linked into a chain. The most important factors in the structure of macromolecules is the existence of functional groups. Functional groups are the components that are most commonly involved in chemical reactions. These functional groups can affect the bonds that hold a macromolecule together. For example, the glycosidic linkages that hold together cellulose and starch differ because of a slight difference in their ring structures. The ring form of glucose for starch is in an alpha configuration while cellulose is in a beta configuration. The differences in these two configurations is dependent on the attachment of a hydroxyl group either above of below the plane of the ring. As a result, cellulose and starch serve different purposes (cellulose is a major component of plant cell walls while starch serves as a storage polysaccharide of plants.

These functional groups also affect the polarity of the bonds. The existence of polar or nonpolar bonds ultimately affect a macromolecule's ability to interact with other substances. For example The nonpolar C-H bonds in the hydrocarbon chains of a fatty acid contributes toe the hydrophobic trait of fats. Due to this trait, fats separate from water.

The structure of a macromolecule is very complex. The example shown here is the structure of a protein. The numerous loops and twists contribute to the function of that unique protein. Denaturing a protein causes the twists and loops of the protein to unravel, thus affecting its ability to perform its function. The absence of these traits can basically render a protein useless.

Another example is DNA. Its unique double-helix structure is formed by 2 polynucleotides that spiral around each other around an imaginary axis. The pattern of nucleic acids maps out the process of forming certain proteins in an organism. A mutation in this structure can cause an organism to be incapable of producing an important protein.

Biochemistry Wordle

Biochemistry Wordle Link:
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/4198053/Biochemistry

Vocabulary used: BIOCHEMISTRY, ATOM, MOLECULE, ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, MONOMERS, POLYMERS, MACROMOLECULES, HYDROGEN-BONDING, SOLUTION, SOLUTE, SOLVENT, FUNCTIONAL GROUPS, NONPOLAR, POLAR, AMINO ACIDS, PROTEINS, FATTY-ACIDS, NUCLEIC-ACIDS, NUCLEOTIDES, DNA, RNA, COVALENT BOND, IONIC BOND, HYDROLYSIS, DEHYDRATION, PROTONS, ELECTIONS, NEUTRONS, ACIDS, BASES, VALENCE, MATTER, WATER, SPECIFIC-HEAT

Almost every vocabulary term I used contributes somehow to the structure of some part of life. In my opinion, this chapter really emphasized the theme of structure and function therefore the terminology referring to that theme was the most important. The way a macromolecule is structured ultimately affects its ability to function. This is all applied to things like proteins, nucleic acids, and so on. A tiny difference in a sequence of amino acids can change the purpose and function of a protein entirely. Deeper into the structure of these, we find that many subunits exist. These include atoms, the subatomic particles, and, most importantly, the bonds that hold everything together.

Chemical bonds are what hold everything together and allows certain aspects of life to exist and function properly. For example, hydrogen-bonding, probably one of the most important terms, gives water its unique qualities that contribute to the function of almost every living thing. Without the existence of these bonds, life as we know it would fail to continue to exist.