Chapter 5 Cell Respiration

cellular respiration

Process that releases energy by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen

Mitochondria

The organelle responsible for breaking food molecules (mainly glucose) into cellular energy (ATP)

pyruvic acid

the three-carbon compound that is produced during glycolysis. (another name for pyruvate)

Pyruvate

Three-carbon compound that forms as an end product of glycolysis. (another name for pyruvic acid)

anaerobic respiration

ATP production that does NOT require oxygen. All forms of fermentation are anaerobic.

aerobic respiration

Energy/ATP production that does require oxygen

fermentation (anaerobic respiration)

enable cells to produce ATP without the use of oxygen

Glycolysis

first step in releasing the energy of glucose, in which a molecule of glucose is broken into two molecules of pyruvic acid. This takes place in the cytoplasm.

Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)

second stage of cellular respiration, in which pyruvic acid is broken down into carbon dioxide and produces electron carriers NADH and FADH2

electron carriers

protein molecules that can carry high energy electrons through the electron transport chain

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

The main ATP production stage of Cellular Respiration. A sequence of electron carrier molecules (membrane proteins) that shuttle electrons through the mitochondria that release energy used to make ATP.

Glucose

A 6 carbon sugar that is broken down in the mitochondria to produce ATP

Carbohydrates

sugars and starches. they are the main energy sources for our bodies.

lactic acid fermentation

The conversion of pyruvate to lactate with no release of carbon dioxide. This occurs in our muscle cells.

alcoholic fermentation

the anaerobic process by which yeasts and other microorganisms break down sugars to form carbon dioxide and ethanol

Hydrolysis

the chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water.

ATP synthase

enzyme that catalyzes the reaction that adds a high-energy phosphate group to ADP to form ATP

ATPase

enzyme that breaks down ATP

muscle fatigue

The point when our muscle cells lack the appropriate amount of ATP to continue function properly.