AP Biology Unit 3.7 – Cellular Respiration

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts in cellular respiration as outlined in AP Biology Unit 3.7.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

A molecule that provides energy for cellular processes such as active transport, biosynthesis, and movement.

Cellular Respiration

A metabolic process that converts glucose into ATP, with the overall equation C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy.

Oxidation-Reduction (Redox)

A reaction involving the transfer of electrons; oxidation is the loss of electrons, and reduction is the gain of electrons.

Electron Carriers

Molecules like NAD⁺ and FAD that temporarily store high-energy electrons and transport them to the electron transport chain.

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the cytosol, that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a net gain of 2 ATP.

Pyruvate Oxidation

The process occurring in the mitochondrial matrix where pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA, producing CO2 and NADH.

Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)

A series of reactions in the mitochondrial matrix that extract energy from acetyl-CoA, producing CO2, NADH, FADH₂, and ATP.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane that facilitate the transfer of electrons and pump protons to generate ATP.

Chemiosmosis

The process by which ATP is produced in the mitochondria as protons flow down their gradient through ATP synthase.

Fermentation

An anaerobic process that regenerates NAD⁺ from NADH, allowing glycolysis to continue in the absence of oxygen.

Phosphofructokinase (PFK)

An enzyme in glycolysis that acts as a key control point for regulating cellular respiration.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process of ATP production that occurs in the mitochondria during the electron transport chain and uses oxygen as the final electron acceptor.

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

A direct method of forming ATP during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle by transferring a phosphate group to ADP.