Metabolism and Energy Production

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to metabolism and energy production, including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the effects of different sugars on energy metabolism.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of the cell used to store and transfer energy.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing energy in the form of ATP and NADH.

NADH

The reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a high-energy electron carrier generated during glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation.

Aerobic Conditions

Metabolic processes that require oxygen, allowing pyruvate to be converted into acetyl-CoA for energy production.

Anaerobic Conditions

Metabolic processes that occur in the absence of oxygen, leading to the conversion of pyruvate into lactate.

Acetyl-CoA

A central molecule in metabolism derived from pyruvate that enters the citric acid cycle.

Citric Acid Cycle

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

FADH2

The reduced form of flavin adenine dinucleotide, another high-energy electron carrier produced in the citric acid cycle.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

A sweetener made from corn starch that has high levels of fructose, impacting metabolism and energy production.

Exergonic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy, often used to drive other reactions in metabolic pathways.

Regulatory Enzymes

Enzymes whose activity is regulated by other substances in the body to control metabolic pathways.

Lactate

The product of anaerobic glycolysis, which can accumulate in muscles and cause soreness during intense exercise.

Pyruvate

A key intermediate in several metabolic pathways that is produced from glucose through glycolysis.

Insulin

A hormone that regulates glucose levels in the blood, affecting the uptake of glucose into cells.

Ethanol

An alcohol created from the fermentation of sugars, involved in energy production through anaerobic pathways.

Carbon Dioxide

A waste product of metabolism that is exhaled by organisms; produced during glucose metabolism.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell where aerobic respiration occurs, generating ATP through the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, such as ADP to form ATP, often driven by energy from metabolic reactions.