1. Chapter 10: Energy Carriers
Leaving Certificate Biology
Higher Level

2. Oxidation - Reduction Oxidation is the loss of electrons
Reduction is the gain of electrons
Use the mnemonic, “OILRIG”, to remember
Oxidation – reduction (redox) reactions are very important for living organisms as energy can be transferred very efficiently from one form to another – i.e. chemical energy to heat, kinetic, sound energy

3. Oxidation - Reduction
Energy carriers take part directly in metabolic reactions by:
Gaining high energy electrons (reduction)
Losing electrons that have given up their energy (oxidation)

4. Energy Carriers ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
Is the ‘energy currency’ of the cell
Composed of:
Adenine
Ribose
3 phosphates

5. ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN
Energy Carriers
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
Electron carrier used in aerobic respiration
Picks up energised electrons (reduction) after a bond is broken and carries them to the electron transport chain where they release their energy in an enzyme-controlled environment to produce ATP
NAD+ + 2e– + H+ → NADH
ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN

6. Energy Carriers NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate)
Electron carrier used in photosynthesis
Picks up energised electrons (reduction) that originated from chlorophyll molecules that were hit by light and transfers them along with protons to the dark stage in order that CO2 may be reduced (addition of H+ and e–) to form glucose
NADP + 2e– → NADP– + H+ → NADPH
DARK STAGE