3.9 Cellular Energy Transfer

Acetyl Coenzyme A (Acetyl CoA)

Metabolic intermediate that transfers acetyl groups to Krebs cycle and various synthetic pathways

ATP Synthase

The enzyme complex present in mitochondria responsible for the synthesis of ATP using the energy of an electrochemical gradient for hydrogen ions

Chemiosmosis

The mechanism by which ATP is formed during oxidative phosphorylation; the movement of protons across mitochondrial inner membranes is coupled with ATP production

Krebs Cycle (Citric/Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle)

Mitochondrial metabolic pathway that utilizes fragments derived from carbohydrate, protein, and fat breakdown and produces carbon dioxide, hydrogen (for oxidative phosphorylation), and small amounts of ATP

Cytochromes

Enzymes that couple energy to ATP formation during oxidative phosphorylation

Electron-Transport Chain

A series of metal-containing proteins within mitochondria that participate in the flow of electrons from proteins to molecular oxygen; they are key components of the energy-producing processes in all cells

Glycolysis

Metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to pyruvate or lactate

Lactate

Ionized form of lactic acid, a three-carbon molecule formed by glycolytic pathway; production is increased in absence of oxygen

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Process by which energy derived from reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to form water is transferred to ATP during its formation

Pyruvate

Anion formed when pyruvic acid loses a hydrogen ion

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

Direct transfer of phosphate group from metabolic intermediate to ADP to form ATP