Cellular Respiration: Glycolysis, Pyruvate Oxidation & Citric Acid Cycle

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and terms related to cellular respiration, focusing on glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle.

Glycolysis

The breakdown of glucose to form 2 pyruvate, producing 2 ATP and 2 NADH.

Pyruvate Oxidation

The conversion of pyruvate into acetyl CoA, producing 2 CO2 and 2 NADH per glucose.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of eight reactions in the mitochondria that processes acetyl CoA into 2 CO2, 3 NADH, 1 FADH2, and 1 ATP per turn.

NADH

An electron carrier that plays a crucial role in cellular respiration by transporting electrons to the electron transport chain.

ATP

A high-energy molecule that serves as the primary energy carrier in cells.

Substrate-level phosphorylation

A method of ATP production that occurs during glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, without the need for electron transport.

Oxidative phosphorylation

The process of ATP formation that occurs in the mitochondria, involving the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

Acetyl CoA

The molecule formed from pyruvate that enters the citric acid cycle.

Energy investment phase

The initial phase of glycolysis that consumes ATP to phosphorylate glucose and its derivatives.

Energy payoff phase

The later phase of glycolysis that produces ATP and NADH.

FADH2

An electron carrier produced during the citric acid cycle that donates electrons to the electron transport chain.

Isomerase

An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of a molecule into its isomer.