Glucose Metabolism Review

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology related to glucose metabolism from the lecture notes.

ATP

Adenosine Triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.

Glycolysis

The 10-step metabolic pathway that oxidizes glucose to produce ATP.

Hexokinase

An enzyme that phosphorylates glucose, trapping it in the cell as glucose 6-phosphate.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, often to activate or deactivate it.

Transport Proteins

Proteins that mediate the uptake of glucose into cells, including GLUTs and SGLTs.

NADH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced), an electron carrier generated in glycolysis.

Citric Acid Cycle

A central metabolic pathway for the oxidative breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Pyruvate

The end product of glycolysis, which can be further oxidized depending on the cellular oxygen conditions.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process of ATP synthesis that occurs in the mitochondria, driven by the electron transport chain.

Sodium–glucose Linked Transporters (SGLTs)

Transport proteins that utilize the Na+ gradient for glucose uptake, primarily in the intestines and kidneys.

Glucose Transporters (GLUTs)

Facilitated diffusion transporters that allow glucose entry into cells, notably GLUT2 and GLUT4.

Regulatory Enzymes

Enzymes that control the pathway of glycolysis, including hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase.

ATP synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate utilizing the proton-motive force.

Warburg Effect

The tendency of cancer cells to favor glycolysis for energy production even in the presence of oxygen.

Proton Motive Force (PMF)

The electrochemical gradient generated by protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, used to produce ATP.