Cheat Sheet 4: Cellular Respiration Processes

Cellular Respiration

Process of oxidizing glucose for ATP production.

Glycolysis

Breakdown of glucose, nets 2 ATP and 2 pyruvate.

Substrate Level Phosphorylation

Direct phosphate transfer generates ATP.

Hexokinase

First enzyme in glycolysis, converts glucose to glucose-6-phosphate.

Phosphofructokinase (PFK)

Adds phosphate, commits glucose to glycolysis.

Aerobic Respiration

Requires oxygen as final electron acceptor.

Anaerobic Respiration

Occurs without oxygen, glycolysis can still continue.

Overall Reaction for Aerobic Respiration

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP.

Pyruvate Decarboxylation

Converts pyruvate to acetyl-CoA in mitochondria.

Citric Acid Cycle (CAC)

Processes acetyl-CoA, produces CO2, ATP, FADH2, NADH.

Alcohol Fermentation

Converts pyruvate to ethanol, regenerates NAD+.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

Converts pyruvate to lactate, regenerates NAD+.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

Transfers electrons to generate H+ gradient.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

ATP production via electron transfer and H+ gradient.

ATP Synthase

Uses H+ gradient for ATP production via chemiosmosis.

Proton Motive Force

H+ gradient driving ATP synthesis.

Alternative Energy Sources

Utilizes carbs, fats, proteins when glucose is low.

Gluconeogenesis

Formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors.

Glycogen Storage

Skeletal muscle/liver stores glucose as glycogen.

Final Electron Acceptor

Oxygen combines with H+ to form water.

Location of Glycolysis

Cytoplasm

Location of Krebs/CAC

Mitochondrial matrix

Location of pyruvate decarboxylation

Mitochondrial matrix

Location of oxidative phosphorylation and the ETC

Inner mitochondrial membrane

Location of gluconeogenesis

Liver