Cellular Respiration

Unit 8 Cellular Respiration

Cellular Respiration

A complex process in which cells make ATP by breaking down organic compounds.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; the universal energy currency in the cell.

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration where glucose is oxidized to create pyruvic acid.

Pyruvic Acid

A three-carbon molecule produced during glycolysis.

Krebs Cycle

A biochemical pathway that breaks down acetyl CoA producing CO2, ATP, and hydrogen atoms.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

The stage where ATP is produced using chemiosmosis with NADH and FADH2.

NAD+ (NADH)

An electron acceptor that is reduced to NADH during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.

FAD+ (FADH2)

An electron acceptor that is reduced to FADH2 during the Krebs cycle.

Chemiosmosis

The process of using a concentration gradient to synthesize ATP.

Aerobic Respiration

A form of respiration that requires oxygen to produce ATP.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

A type of fermentation that converts pyruvic acid into lactic acid.

Ethyl Alcohol Fermentation

A type of fermentation that converts pyruvic acid into ethyl alcohol.

Mitochondria

The organelle where cellular respiration occurs, specifically in the Krebs cycle and the ETC.

Acetyl CoA

A two-carbon molecule that is produced from pyruvic acid before entering the Krebs Cycle.

Cristae

The inner membrane folds of the mitochondrion where the electron transport chain is located.

High Energy Molecule

A description of ATP which releases energy when a phosphate group is removed.

ADP

Adenosine diphosphate; what ATP becomes after losing a phosphate group.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP using the proton gradient.

Oxaloacetic Acid

A four-carbon compound that combines with acetyl CoA in the Krebs Cycle.

Net ATP (Glycolysis)

The total amount of ATP produced from glycolysis, which is 2 ATP.

CO2

Carbon dioxide, a waste product produced during both the Krebs Cycle and fermentation.