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ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
The universal energy "currency" that provides energy for chemical reactions, movement, and heat production in cells.
Hydrolysis
The process of breaking down ATP into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and inorganic phosphate, releasing energy.
Endergonic reactions
Reactions that require energy input to proceed.
Exergonic reactions
Reactions that release energy.
Heterotrophic organisms
Organisms that obtain nutrients (carbohydrates, fat, amino acids) from external sources to produce ATP.
Autotrophic organisms
Organisms that can generate nutrients from small compounds like carbon dioxide to produce ATP.
Glycolysis
The anaerobic process in which glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate, generating ATP and NADH.
Anaerobic oxidation
The fermentation of pyruvate in the absence of oxygen, producing lactic acid or ethanol.
Mitochondria
Organelles responsible for ATP generation and biosynthesis of other molecules in eukaryotic cells.
Cristae
Infoldings of the inner membrane of mitochondria.
Matrix
The innermost compartment within the inner membrane of mitochondria.
Endosymbiosis
The theory that mitochondria originated from bacteria that were engulfed by a host cell.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Circular DNA molecules found in mitochondria that encode for proteins.
Glycosidic bonds
Bonds formed between carbohydrates to create polysaccharides.
Pyruvate kinase
An enzyme involved in glycolysis that is inhibited by ATP in the presence of high levels of ATP.
Allosteric regulation
Regulation of enzyme activity by binding of molecules at sites other than the active site.
Fermentation
The process of anaerobic oxidation of pyruvate to produce lactic acid or ethanol.
Glucose oxidation
The process of breaking down glucose to produce energy.
Glycolysis
The first step of glucose oxidation, which takes place in the cytosol and generates 2 ATP molecules.
Citric acid cycle
The second step of glucose oxidation, which occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and generates NADH and FADH2.
Electron transport chain
The third step of glucose oxidation, where NADH and FADH2 transfer electrons to generate ATP.
ATP synthesis
The fourth and final step of glucose oxidation, where ATP is produced.
Cytosol
The fluid portion of the cytoplasm where glycolysis takes place.
Mitochondrion
The organelle where the citric acid cycle, electron transport chain, and ATP synthesis occur.
Pyruvate
The product of glycolysis, which is imported into the mitochondrial matrix.
Acetyl CoA
A molecule formed from the processing of pyruvate, which enters the citric acid cycle.
NADH
A molecule generated during the citric acid cycle, which serves as an electron carrier.
FADH2
A molecule generated during the citric acid cycle, which also serves as an electron carrier.
Krebs cycle
Another name for the citric acid cycle.
Tricarbolic acid (TCA) cycle
Another name for the citric acid cycle.
Hans Adolf Krebs
The scientist who discovered the citric acid cycle.
Fatty acids
An additional source of acetyl-CoA that can be processed in the citric acid cycle.
Electron donor
A molecule that donates electrons to the electron transport chain.
Proton motive force
The energy generated by the electron transport chain, which drives ATP synthesis.
Prosthetic groups
Non-protein molecules that bind to protein complexes in the electron transport chain.
ATP synthase
The enzyme responsible for synthesizing ATP in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
ATP synthase
An enzyme located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that is responsible for the synthesis of ATP.
FO subcomplex
One of the two subcomplexes of ATP synthase, consisting of three types of subunits (a, b, and c).
c-ring
The arrangement of c units in ATP synthase, forming a ring structure.
F1 subcomplex
The other subcomplex of ATP synthase, composed of subunits α, β, γ, δ, and ε.
Proton flow
The movement of protons through ATP synthase, inducing rotation of the c-ring.
γ subunit
The subunit of ATP synthase that is connected to the c-ring and rotates together with it.
ADP/ATP binding sites
Sites in the β subunits of ATP synthase where ADP and ATP molecules can bind.
Conformations
Different states or conformations of the β subunits in ATP synthase, including O (open), L (loose), and T (tight).