Biology Lecture on Enzymatic Activity and Cellular Respiration

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from a biology lecture focusing on enzymatic activity, ATP hydrolysis, and cellular respiration.

Luciferase

An enzyme that catalyzes the reaction of luciferin to produce light.

Inhibitor

A compound that decreases the activity of an enzyme.

Noncompetitive Inhibitor

An inhibitor that binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, decreasing the enzyme's activity regardless of substrate concentration.

ATP Hydrolysis

The reaction that breaks the covalent bond between the second and third phosphate group on an ATP molecule, releasing energy.

Glycolysis

The metabolic process that breaks down glucose into two pyruvate molecules, generating ATP.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The metabolic pathway in which cells use enzymes to oxidize nutrients, thereby releasing energy, which is used to produce ATP.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

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

Redox Reaction

A chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons between two species.

NAD+

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, an oxidized electron carrier that becomes reduced to NADH by gaining electrons.

FAD

Flavin adenine dinucleotide, an electron carrier that becomes reduced to FADH2 when it accepts electrons.

Endergonic Reaction

A reaction that requires energy input to proceed.

Exergonic Reaction

A reaction that releases energy.

Chemical Gradient

A difference in chemical concentration between two areas.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.

Pyruvate Oxidation

The process in which pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA, releasing carbon dioxide.

Substrate-level Phosphorylation

The direct transfer of a phosphate group to ADP to form ATP in an energy-producing process.

Alkalosis

A condition in which the body's fluids have excess base (alkali).

Carboxylic Acid

An organic compound that contains a carboxyl group (-COOH).

Energetic Coupling

The process of linking reactions that release energy with those that require energy.

Gibbs Free Energy

A thermodynamic quantity that indicates the amount of energy available to do work during a reaction.

Equilibrium Reaction

A reaction that can proceed in both forward and reverse directions, maintaining a balance between the concentrations of reactants and products.

Acetyl-CoA

A molecule that conveys carbon atoms within the acetyl group to the citric acid cycle for energy production.