CLEP Biology covers fundamental concepts in biology, including cellular processes, genetics, evolution, and ecology, designed to help students earn college credit.
Cells need energy to survive. They use two key processes: cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
This process takes glucose and oxygen and turns them into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. It happens in the mitochondria and can be summarized by:
\[ \text{C}6\text{H}{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{Energy} \]
Plants and some bacteria capture sunlight to make food. This occurs in the chloroplasts using:
\[ 6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \text{C}6\text{H}{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2 \]
The products of photosynthesis fuel respiration, and vice versa. This cycle is crucial for life on Earth!
Your muscles use cellular respiration to contract when you run.
Plants convert sunlight to sugar, which animals then eat for energy.
Cells harness and convert energy through respiration and photosynthesis to power life.