Citric Acid Cycle and Pyruvate Oxidation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the citric acid cycle and pyruvate oxidation, providing definitions and details necessary for understanding the biochemical processes involved.

Pyruvate Oxidation

A process that converts pyruvate into acetyl CoA, producing NADH and releasing CO2.

Citric Acid Cycle

Also known as the Krebs cycle, it further oxidizes organic fuel derived from pyruvate.

Acetyl Coenzyme A

A highly reactive compound that feeds its acetyl group into the citric acid cycle.

Aerobic Respiration

A process that requires oxygen to complete the oxidation of glucose.

Oxidation

The loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion.

Reduction

The gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion.

Mitochondrion

An organelle where pyruvate is oxidized in eukaryotic cells.

NADH

A reduced coenzyme that carries high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain.

Citrate

The ionized form of citric acid; formed when acetyl CoA combines with oxaloacetate.

Oxaloacetate

A four-carbon compound that combines with acetyl CoA to form citrate.

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

A direct method of making ATP that occurs in the citric acid cycle.

Guanosine Triphosphate (GTP)

An energy-rich molecule similar to ATP, produced in step 5 of the cycle.

ATP Production

Generated mainly from oxidative phosphorylation after the citric acid cycle.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions involving oxidation and reduction, vital for energy transfer.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons derived from NADH.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, released during respiration.

Energy Yield from Glucose

The total amount of energy harvested from glucose through glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.

Acetyl Group

A two-carbon fragment derived from acetyl CoA that enters the citric acid cycle.

Enzymatic Reactions

Chemical reactions in which enzymes catalyze the conversion of substrates.

Mitochondrial Matrix

The compartment of the mitochondrion where the citric acid cycle takes place.

Pyruvate

A three-carbon molecule that serves as the end product of glycolysis.

Carbon Cycle

The cycle where carbon atoms move through the environment and living organisms.

Synthesis of NADH

Produced from the oxidation of substrates during the citric acid cycle.

High-Energy Electrons

Electrons that have been boosted to a higher energy state during redox reactions.

Acetyl CoA Formation

The conversion of pyruvate into acetyl CoA, producing NADH and releasing CO2.

Chemical Structures

Representations of molecules showing how atoms are bonded together.

Cyclic Pathway

A series of biochemical reactions that regenerate initial reactants, completing a cycle.

Krebs Cycle Steps

Eight sequential reactions that comprise the full citric acid cycle.

Energy-Rich Molecules

Compounds like NADH and ATP produced from the citric acid cycle.

Phosphate Group

A functional group consisting of a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms.

Turn of the Cycle

One complete round of reactions in the citric acid cycle.

Substrate-Level Energy Transfer

Transfer of energy directly from one substrate to another to form ATP or GTP.

Output of Citric Acid Cycle

Includes reduced NADH and FADH2, and one ATP or GTP per acetyl group.

Regeneration of Oxaloacetate

The final steps of the citric acid cycle where oxaloacetate is reformed.

Metabolic Furnace

A reference to the citric acid cycle as a site of energy production.

Biochemical Yield

The amount of energy or products generated from a specific biochemical process.

NADH and FADH2

Reduced forms of coenzymes that carry electrons to the electron transport chain.

Electron Acceptance

The process where electron acceptors like NAD+ receive electrons during reactions.

Pyruvate Utilization

The process whereby pyruvate is converted into further usable energy.

Acetyl CoA Entry

The introduction of acetyl CoA into the citric acid cycle to begin its conversion.

Cellular Respiration

The overall process by which cells convert glucose into usable energy.

Enzyme Catalysis

The acceleration of reactions in the citric acid cycle by specific enzymes.

Molecular Outputs

The molecules produced as final results of chemical reactions, including CO2, NADH, and GTP.

CO2 Production

Carbon dioxide is released as a by-product during the citric acid cycle.