Chemotrophic Energy Metabolism: Aerobic Respiration

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts of aerobic respiration and metabolism.

Mitochondria

Eukaryotic organelle whose main job is to produce ATP; known as the 'powerhouse of the cell'.

Inner membrane

The membrane of the mitochondrion that contains finger-like folds called cristae which increase surface area for energy reactions.

Krebs Cycle

Also known as the TCA cycle; a series of reactions in the mitochondrial matrix following glycolysis that produces energy carriers and CO2.

Glycolysis

The first step of cellular respiration that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing 2 ATP.

Acetyl-CoA

A key intermediate in metabolism that enters the Krebs Cycle; formed from pyruvate prior to its entry into the cycle.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons from electron donors (like NADH) to electron acceptors (like oxygen), generating ATP.

Beta Oxidation

The process through which fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria to produce Acetyl-CoA, enabling entry into the Krebs Cycle.

Amphibolic Pathway

A metabolic pathway that functions in both catabolism and anabolism; allows for energy extraction and synthesis of biomolecules.

Glyoxylate Cycle

A metabolic pathway used by some organisms to convert fatty acids into carbohydrates, functioning similarly to the Krebs Cycle with enzyme swaps.

NADH

A high-energy electron carrier produced during glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and used in the electron transport chain to generate ATP.

FADH2

Another high-energy electron carrier produced in the Krebs cycle, contributing to ATP generation in the electron transport chain.

Cytochromes

Proteins with heme groups that transfer electrons in the electron transport chain; they change iron from Fe3+ to Fe2+.

Ubiquinone (CoQ10)

A mobile electron carrier in the electron transport chain that transports electrons between complexes I/II and III.

Isocitrate

An intermediate in the Krebs Cycle that is converted from citrate and subsequently transformed into a-ketoglutarate.

Succinyl-CoA

An intermediate in the Krebs Cycle produced from a-ketoglutarate; generates GTP (an ATP equivalent) during its conversion to succinate.

Oxaloacetate

A molecule that combines with Acetyl-CoA to form citrate, starting the Krebs Cycle; also regenerated at the end of the cycle.