Metabolism and Energy Production

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in metabolism and energy production.

Glycolysis

The process of converting glucose to pyruvic acid, producing a net gain of 2 ATP and reducing NAD+ to NADH.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.

Carbohydrate Metabolism

The series of processes by which carbohydrates are broken down or synthesized to produce energy.

Krebs Cycle

Also known as the citric acid cycle, a series of enzymatic reactions in the mitochondria that produces NADH and ATP.

Lipid Metabolism

The process by which lipids are broken down or synthesized to provide energy or serve other cellular functions.

Beta-Oxidation

The catabolic process by which fatty acid molecules are broken down in the mitochondria to generate acetyl-CoA.

Amino Acid Catabolism

The breakdown of amino acids for energy, producing ketone bodies and ammonium ions.

Insulin

A hormone that lowers blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake and glycogenesis.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels by promoting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Cholesterol

A type of lipid necessary for membrane stability and synthesis of steroid hormones.

Glycogenesis

The synthesis of glycogen from glucose, stimulated by insulin.

Glycogenolysis

The breakdown of glycogen into glucose, stimulated by glucagon.

NADH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, an electron carrier that plays a crucial role in energy production.

FADH2

Flavin adenine dinucleotide, another electron carrier involved in the electron transport chain.

Lipoporteins

Molecules made of proteins and lipids that transport lipids in the bloodstream.

Homeostasis

The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living organisms.

Cellular Respiration

The metabolic process by which cells convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP.

Anabolism

The metabolic process that builds molecules, a part of metabolism involving energy input.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The rate at which energy is expended by an organism at rest.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons from NADH and FADH2 to oxygen.

Lipid Anabolism

The synthesis of lipids from glucose or other substrates, stimulated by insulin.

Ketogenesis

The metabolic process by which ketone bodies are produced from fatty acids.

Lactate

The product formed from pyruvate under anaerobic conditions, including exercise.

Acetyl-CoA

A central molecule in metabolism that feeds into the Krebs cycle.

Thyroid hormones

Hormones that regulate metabolism and energy expenditure.

Lipolysis

The breakdown of lipids to produce fatty acids and glycerol.

Hyperglycemia

An excessively high blood sugar level.

Hypoglycemia

An excessively low blood sugar level.

Fats

Lipids that serve as a long-term energy store, consisting of fatty acids and glycerol.

Fatty Acids

Carboxylic acids with long hydrocarbon tails; key components of lipids.

Complete Proteins

Foods that contain all essential amino acids; typically found in animal products.

Incomplete Proteins

Foods that lack one or more essential amino acids; typically found in plant sources.

Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids that must be obtained through diet because the body cannot synthesize them.

Non-Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids that the body can produce on its own.

Transamination

The process of transferring an amino group from one amino acid to a keto acid.

Deamination

The removal of an amino group from an amino acid, producing ammonia.

Urea Cycle

The cycle in which ammonia is converted into urea for excretion.

Thermoregulation

The process by which an organism maintains its internal temperature.

Vitamins

Organic compounds that are crucial for various metabolic processes.

Minerals

Inorganic substances essential for various bodily functions.

Hydrolysis

The chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water.

Obesity

A medical condition characterized by excessive body fat.

Prediabetes

A condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus

A group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose).

Malnutrition

A condition resulting from an unbalanced diet or inability to absorb nutrients.

Saturated Fats

Fats that contain no double bonds between carbon atoms, typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fats

Fats that contain one or more double bonds, usually liquid at room temperature.

BMR Measurement

Basal Metabolic Rate is measured under standard conditions like fasting and complete rest.

Hydration

The process of providing adequate fluid in the body to maintain physiological functions.