Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cellular respiration and fermentation processes, including definitions and functions of important molecules involved.

Intermembrane Space

The space between the inner and outer membrane of the mitochondria where protons accumulate during electron transport.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, utilizing the proton gradient generated in the electron transport chain.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process of generating ATP using the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis, where electrons from NADH and FADH2 are transferred to oxygen.

Glycolysis

The first step in cellular respiration that breaks glucose down into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH.

Pyruvate

The end product of glycolysis, which can enter either aerobic respiration or fermentation pathways depending on oxygen availability.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that allows ATP production without oxygen, utilizing pyruvate as an electron acceptor.

Catabolic Reactions

Reactions that break down molecules to release energy, typically resulting in the production of ATP.

Anabolic Pathways

Metabolic pathways that consume energy to build larger molecules from smaller ones.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons to create a proton gradient for ATP synthesis.

NADH

A reduced form of NAD+ that carries high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain.

FADH2

A reduced form of FAD that donates electrons to the electron transport chain and contributes to ATP production.

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

The direct formation of ATP by transferring a phosphate group to ADP from a phosphorylated intermediate during glycolysis or the citric acid cycle.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

A metabolic process by which glucose is converted into lactate when oxygen is scarce, recycling NAD+ for continued glycolysis.

Alcohol Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide, also recycling NAD+ after glycolysis.

Acetyl CoA

A molecule that is formed from the breakdown of pyruvate and enters the citric acid cycle for further energy production.

Citric Acid Cycle

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