Cellular Respiration and Energy Production

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cellular respiration, including processes and definitions essential for understanding energy production.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of metabolic reactions occurring in the mitochondria that generates electron carriers and ATP from acetyl CoA.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons, resulting in ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, generating a small amount of ATP and NADH.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process where ATP is produced as electrons are transferred through the electron transport chain and a proton gradient is established.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, using the energy from the proton gradient created during electron transport.

NADH

An electron carrier that stores energy and transfers electrons to the electron transport chain.

Acetyl CoA

A compound that enters the citric acid cycle and is produced from the oxidation of pyruvate.

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

A method of ATP production that occurs during glycolysis and the citric acid cycle where ATP is generated directly in a biochemical reaction.

Chemical Gradient

A difference in the concentration of ions across a membrane that drives the movement of substances, used in ATP synthesis.

Proton Motive Force

The energy stored in the form of a proton gradient across a membrane, used to drive ATP synthesis in oxidative phosphorylation.