Cellular Respiration and Fermentation Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards related to vocabulary pertinent to cellular respiration and fermentation, aiding in exam preparation.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The energy currency of the cell, used to fuel various cellular processes.

Glycolysis

The process in which one six-carbon molecule of glucose is broken down into two three-carbon pyruvate molecules.

Pyruvate Oxidation

The stage in cellular respiration where pyruvate is converted to acetyl CoA.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl CoA.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors via redox reactions.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of ions across a selectively permeable membrane, down their electrochemical gradient.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Catabolic Pathways

Metabolic pathways that break down molecules and produce energy.

Anabolic Pathways

Metabolic pathways that synthesize larger molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy.

NADH

A reducing agent that carries electrons and protons during cellular respiration.

FADH2

A reducing agent similar to NADH that is produced during the Krebs cycle.

Oxidation

The process of losing electrons, which occurs to glucose during cellular respiration.

Reduction

The process of gaining electrons, which occurs to NAD+ and FAD during respiration.

Substrate-level phosphorylation

The direct production of ATP during a single reaction through the transfer of a phosphate group.

Oxidative phosphorylation

The generation of ATP from the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

Proton Motive Force

The potential energy stored in the form of an electrochemical gradient of protons across a membrane.

Acetyl CoA

A two-carbon molecule that is produced from pyruvate and enter the citric acid cycle.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that creates ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate during chemiosmosis.

Homeostasis

The regulation of internal conditions within living organisms.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons between two substances.

Glucose

A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms.

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

An electron carrier that is reduced to NADH during cellular respiration.

Feedback inhibition

A regulatory mechanism in which an enzyme's activity is inhibited by the end product of a reaction.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

A type of anaerobic fermentation that converts pyruvate into lactate in human muscle cells.

Alcohol Fermentation

An anaerobic process where pyruvate is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeast.

Metabolic Pathways

A series of chemical reactions in a cell that occur in a sequence, allowing for the conversion of substrates to products.

Oxaloacetate

A four-carbon molecule that combines with acetyl CoA to initiate the citric acid cycle.

Matrix

The innermost compartment of mitochondria, where the citric acid cycle takes place.

Intermembrane Space

The space between the inner and outer membranes of the mitochondria, involved in the electron transport chain.

Cristae

The folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane, increasing the surface area for electron transport.

Glycogen

A storage form of glucose in animals, utilized when blood glucose levels are low.

Fermentation Products

The end products of fermentation, which may include ethanol, carbon dioxide, and lactic acid.