Cellular Respiration, Photosynthesis, and ATP Generation Overview

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts and processes in cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and ATP generation.

Cellular Respiration

A series of processes that generate ATP from the catabolism of glucose, simplified as glucose + O2 → CO2 + H2O + energy.

Glycolysis

The metabolic process that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, resulting in ATP and NADH production.

Pyruvate Oxidation

Conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, producing NADH and releasing CO2.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of reactions that extract energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA, producing ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process of ATP generation powered by the electron transport chain and ATP synthase.

NADH

A reduced electron carrier produced during glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle.

FADH2

A reduced electron carrier produced during the citric acid cycle.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of protons across a membrane, powering ATP synthesis during oxidative phosphorylation.

Photosynthesis

A series of processes that convert light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose and oxygen from CO2 and H2O.

Light Reactions

The first stage of photosynthesis where light energy is converted to ATP and NADPH.

Calvin Cycle (Dark Reactions)

The second stage of photosynthesis that uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 into glucose.

Photon

The fundamental unit or particle of light.

Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco)

An enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the Calvin cycle, facilitating carbon fixation.

Substrate-level phosphorylation

A method of ATP generation directly from a substrate during a biochemical reaction.

Oxidative phosphorylation

ATP generation powered by the electron transport chain and chemiosmotic coupling.

Photophosphorylation

The process of generating ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using the energy derived from light during photosynthesis.