Biology: Bioenergetics: Key terms

• Endothermic


  reactions that take in heat / require heat energy
• Chlorophyll


  the green pigment found in most plants; responsible for photosynthesis
• Limiting factor


  a factor that prevents a reaction going any faster
• Inverse square law


  when a light source is moved to double the distance then the light intensity reduces by a quarter
• Exothermic


  reactions that release energy / heat into the environment
• Aerobic respiration


  respiration that uses oxygen to release energy from glucose
• Anaerobic respiration


  respiration that takes place without oxygen, producing energy and lactic acid
• Fermentation


  the conversion of sugar to alcohol and carbon dioxide in yeast
• Lactic acid


  a compound produced when cells respire without oxygen (i.e. anaerobically)
• Oxygen debt


  oxygen deficiency caused by anaerobic respiration during intense / vigorous exercise
• Metabolism


  the sum of all the chemical reactions occurring in the body