Cellular Respiration and ATP Production

This set of flashcards covers vocabulary related to cellular respiration and the production of ATP, including key terms, processes, and concepts discussed in the lecture.

Respiration

The oxidative breakdown of organic molecules that is exergonic and may occur with or without oxygen.

Aerobic Respiration

A process that consumes organic molecules and oxygen (O2) to yield ATP.

Fermentation

A partial degradation of sugars that occurs without oxygen (O2).

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions that transfer electrons, where oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the gain of electrons.

NAD+

An electron acceptor and coenzyme that gains electrons and a hydrogen to become NADH, representing stored energy.

Glycolysis

The process that converts glucose into 2 molecules of pyruvate, occurring in the cytosol and does not require oxygen.

Citric Acid Cycle

Also known as the Krebs cycle, completes the oxidation of glucose by converting pyruvate into carbon dioxide (CO2).

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Accounts for the majority of ATP synthesis through the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

Chemiosmosis

The process of H+ ions moving back across the mitochondrial membrane through ATP synthase to produce ATP.

Obligate Anaerobes

Organisms that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen and rely on fermentation or anaerobic respiration.

Facultative Anaerobes

Organisms that can use either aerobic respiration or fermentation depending on the availability of oxygen.

Feedback Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the accumulation of ATP inhibits respiration if ATP levels are high.