Oxidative Phosphorylation and Fermentation

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to oxidative phosphorylation and fermentation, including key processes, structures, and compounds involved.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process by which ATP is produced using the energy from electrons transferred through the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors via redox reactions.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of protons across a membrane during cellular respiration or photosynthesis, which drives the synthesis of ATP.

Mitochondrial Matrix

The space within the inner membrane of the mitochondria where the Krebs cycle occurs.

Intramembrane Space

The space between the inner and outer membranes of the mitochondria, involved in creating a proton gradient.

NADH

A key electron carrier in cellular respiration that donates electrons to the electron transport chain.

FADH2

Another electron carrier that delivers electrons to the electron transport chain but leads to less ATP generation per molecule compared to NADH.

Proton Motive Force

The potential energy stored in the form of a proton gradient across a membrane, which drives ATP synthesis.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using the energy from the proton gradient.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons, integral to metabolic processes.

Exergonic Reactions

Chemical reactions that release energy, such as those in the electron transport chain.

Allosteric Inhibitor

A molecule that binds to an enzyme and decreases its activity, such as ATP's effect on phosphofructokinase-1.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen, producing ATP.

Pyruvate

The end product of glycolysis, which can be further processed in the Krebs cycle or converted to lactate or ethanol in fermentation.

Acetaldehyde

An intermediate during alcohol fermentation that serves as the electron acceptor to oxidize NADH back to NAD+.

Glycolysis

The anaerobic process that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, generating a small amount of ATP.

Citric Acid Cycle

A key metabolic pathway that provides energy through the oxidization of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Complex III

An enzyme complex in the electron transport chain that plays a crucial role in transferring electrons and pumping protons.

Antimycin

An inhibitor of Complex III that disrupts electron transport, leading to decreased ATP synthesis.

Oligomycin

An antibiotic that inhibits ATP synthase by blocking proton flow, thus halting ATP production.