Cellular Respiration: Oxidative Phosphorylation and Fermentation

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to cellular respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and fermentation, essential for understanding energy metabolism.

Cellular Respiration

The metabolic processes whereby cells convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP, using oxygen.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The stage of cellular respiration where ATP is produced via electron transport and chemiosmosis, primarily in the mitochondria.

NADH

An electron carrier that transfers electrons to the electron transport chain during cellular respiration.

Chemiosmosis

A mechanism where ATP is produced from the flow of protons (H+) across a membrane, driven by the proton gradient.

Substrate-level phosphorylation

The direct transfer of a phosphate group to ADP from a phosphorylated intermediate, resulting in the formation of ATP.

Fermentation

An anaerobic process that allows glycolysis to continue by regenerating NAD+, producing ATP without the use of oxygen.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons, leading to ATP synthesis.

Obligate Anaerobes

Organisms that can only survive in the absence of oxygen, performing fermentation or anaerobic respiration.

Facultative Anaerobes

Organisms that can survive in both the presence and absence of oxygen, capable of switching between fermentation and aerobic respiration.

ATP Yield per Glucose

The total amount of ATP generated from the oxidation of one glucose molecule, typically around 30-32 ATP.

Pyruvate Oxidation

The conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle, producing NADH.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

The process whereby glucose is converted into cellular energy and the metabolite lactate, occurring in muscle cells.

Alcohol Fermentation

The anaerobic process where sugars are converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide, commonly seen in yeast.

proton gradient

The difference in proton concentration across a membrane, which generates potential energy used in ATP synthesis.

Final electron acceptor

In aerobic respiration, oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor, forming water when it accepts electrons.