Cellular Respiration: Pyruvate Oxidation & Citric Acid Cycle

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to Pyruvate Oxidation and the Citric Acid Cycle in preparation for an exam, based on lecture notes.

Pyruvate Oxidation

The process where pyruvate undergoes a 'haircut,' losing a carbon as CO₂, and the remaining 2-carbon molecule attaches to Coenzyme A to form Acetyl-CoA, also producing NADH.

Pyruvate

A 3-carbon molecule resulting from glycolysis that enters pyruvate oxidation.

Acetyl-CoA

A 2-carbon molecule formed during pyruvate oxidation by combining a 2-carbon unit with Coenzyme A, ready to enter the Citric Acid Cycle.

Coenzyme A

A helper molecule that attaches to the 2-carbon unit from pyruvate to form Acetyl-CoA.

NADH

An electron carrier molecule (a 'battery') produced when NAD\u207a grabs electrons during pyruvate oxidation and the Citric Acid Cycle, used later for ATP production.

CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)

A waste product released when carbons are snipped off during pyruvate oxidation and the Citric Acid Cycle.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A metabolic pathway that processes Acetyl-CoA, a 2-carbon molecule formed during pyruvate oxidation, releasing CO₂, ATP, NADH, and FADH₂.

Oxaloacetate

A 4-carbon starter molecule in the Citric Acid Cycle that combines with Acetyl-CoA to form citrate.

Citrate

A 6-carbon molecule formed when Acetyl-CoA (2 carbons) combines with oxaloacetate (4 carbons) at the beginning of the Citric Acid Cycle.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, a direct energy molecule produced during the Citric Acid Cycle per spin.

FADH₂

An electron carrier molecule (a 'smaller battery') produced during the Citric Acid Cycle, used later in the electron transport chain for ATP production.

Glycolysis

The initial chemical process that breaks down sugar (glucose) into two molecules of pyruvate.

Electron Transport Chain

The final stage of cellular respiration where NADH and FADH₂ are used to make a large amount of ATP.