BIO-1103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Chlorophyll, Cyanobacteria, Electromagnetic Spectrum
Document Summary
U. s. energy consumption: the us is the largest consumer of fossil fuels: fossil fuels are considered non-renewable because they take millions of years to create by natural processes. Renewable energy: 7% - don"t discharge carbon; they are carbon neutral. Algae: as we deplete fossil fuels, new energy sources are being developed that reduce our demand on petroleum and other fossil fuels. Hydraulic fracturing rig: injecting a number of chemicals to extract natural. Blue-green algae; cyanobacteria: endosymbiosis theory: a first prokaryotic cell engulfed chloroplasts, organelles used in photosynthesis. Algae absorbs more co2 than it emits. Oil: most energy rich and readily usable energy source (biodiesel) Carbohydrates: fermented for ethanol; burned for electricity. Algae carcasses (biomass): burned for electricity and heat; organic fertilizer. Carbon and energy enter the web of life by photosynthesis (autotrophs) . Light energy is the energy of the electromagnetic spectrum of radiation.
