Cellular Respiration and Fermentation-Bio Exam 2

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to cellular respiration and fermentation, extracted from lecture notes.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells use oxygen to break down sugar and produce energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.

Glycolysis

The first step in cellular respiration that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, occurs in the cytoplasm.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The final stage of cellular respiration where ATP is produced using energy from the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons between two species; oxidation is loss of electrons and reduction is gain of electrons.

NAD+

A coenzyme that acts as an electron carrier in cellular respiration, becoming reduced to NADH.

FAD

A coenzyme related to NAD+ that serves as an electron carrier in cellular respiration, becoming reduced to FADH2.

Anaerobic Respiration

A type of respiration that occurs in the absence of oxygen, using electron transport chains with other terminal electron acceptors.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

The direct synthesis of ATP from ADP and a phosphorylated intermediate during glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.

Ethanol Fermentation

A form of anaerobic respiration used by yeast and some bacteria that converts pyruvate to ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Lactate Fermentation

A form of anaerobic respiration that converts pyruvate into lactate, used by certain bacteria and animal cells.

Proton Motive Force

The force generated by the electron transport chain that pumps protons across the mitochondrial membrane, driving ATP synthesis.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that creates ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate via oxidative phosphorylation.

Acetyl CoA

A molecule that links glycolysis to the citric acid cycle by being oxidized in the mitochondria.

Feedback Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the production of a product inhibits its own production through various metabolic pathways.