Metabolism and Energy Production

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to metabolism, energy production, and biochemical processes.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH in the process.

ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate)

A nucleotide composed of adenosine and two phosphate groups; it is converted into ATP by the addition of a phosphate group.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in cells, composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups.

Glycogen Synthesis

The process by which glucose is converted into glycogen for storage in liver and muscle.

Glycogen Phosphorylase

An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of glycogen to glucose-1-phosphate.

Glycogenolysis

The process of breaking down glycogen into glucose, which can be used for energy.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by promoting glycogen synthesis.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels by promoting glycogenolysis.

Epinephrine

A hormone that stimulates glycogenolysis and increases blood glucose levels during stress or emergencies.

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDH)

A multi-enzyme complex that converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA for entry into the TCA cycle.

Citric Acid Cycle (TCA Cycle)

A key metabolic pathway that involves a series of enzymatic reactions to oxidize acetyl-CoA to CO2 and generate ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

NADH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form); an electron carrier that carries energy from metabolic pathways to the electron transport chain.

Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q)

A lipid-soluble electron carrier in the electron transport chain that accepts and donates electrons.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme complex that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, powered by a proton gradient.

Chemiosmosis

The process by which ATP is produced in mitochondria as protons move across the mitochondrial membrane, driving ATP synthesis.

Feedback Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an earlier step in the pathway.

Glycogenesis

The formation of glycogen from glucose, catalyzed by glycogen synthase.

Glycogenin

The protein that serves as a primer for glycogen synthesis.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH in the process.

ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate)

A nucleotide composed of adenosine and two phosphate groups; it is converted into ATP by the addition of a phosphate group.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in cells, composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups.

Glycogen Synthesis

The process by which glucose is converted into glycogen for storage in liver and muscle.

Glycogen Phosphorylase

An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of glycogen to glucose-1-phosphate.

Glycogenolysis

The process of breaking down glycogen into glucose, which can be used for energy.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by promoting glycogen synthesis.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels by promoting glycogenolysis.

Epinephrine

A hormone that stimulates glycogenolysis and increases blood glucose levels during stress or emergencies.

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDH)

A multi-enzyme complex that converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA for entry into the TCA cycle.

Citric Acid Cycle (TCA Cycle)

A key metabolic pathway that involves a series of enzymatic reactions to oxidize acetyl-CoA to CO2 and generate ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

NADH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form); an electron carrier that carries energy from metabolic pathways to the electron transport chain.

Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q)

A lipid-soluble electron carrier in the electron transport chain that accepts and donates electrons.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme complex that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, powered by a proton gradient.

Chemiosmosis

The process by which ATP is produced in mitochondria as protons move across the mitochondrial membrane, driving ATP synthesis.

Feedback Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an earlier step in the pathway.

Glycogenesis

The formation of glycogen from glucose, catalyzed by glycogen synthase.

Glycogenin

The protein that serves as a primer for glycogen synthesis.

What is the initial substrate that enters the Citric Acid Cycle?

Acetyl-CoA, which combines with oxaloacetate to form citrate.

What are the direct products from one molecule of acetyl-CoA entering the Citric Acid Cycle?

2 molecules of CO$ _2 $ , 3 molecules of NADH, 1 molecule of FADH$ _2 $ , and 1$$ molecule of ATP (or GTP).

What are the main inputs for the Electron Transport Chain (ETC)?

NADH, FADH$ 2 $ , O2 (as the final electron acceptor), ADP, and inorganic phosphate (P_i$$).

What are the main outputs of the Electron Transport Chain (ETC)?

ATP, H_2O, NAD$ ^+ $ , and FAD$$.

How is the proton gradient established in the Electron Transport Chain?

Electrons from NADH and FADH_2 are passed through protein complexes, which pump protons (H^+) from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space.

What is the role of O_2 in the Electron Transport Chain?

O2 serves as the final electron acceptor, combining with protons to form water (H2O).