Oxidative Respiration and Fermentation Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining key terms and processes involved in cellular respiration and fermentation as outlined in Module 4 Video 4-2.

Glycolysis

The oxidation of glucose ($6$ carbons) resulting in $2$ pyruvate molecules ($3$ carbons each) with a net yield of $2\,ATP$ and $2\,NADH$.

Krebs Cycle

A metabolic process that produces $ATP$, $NADH$, $FADH_2$, and $CO_2$, while providing building blocks for biosynthesis.

Acetyl-CoA

The $2$-carbon molecule that enters the Krebs Cycle after the third carbon of pyruvate is released as $CO_2$.

Electron Transport Chain ($ETC$)

A series of membrane carriers that receive electrons from $NADH$ and $FADH_2$, moving them to pump $H^+$ ions outside the membrane and create a proton gradient.

ATPase

An enzyme located in the bacterial cell membrane that uses the energy from the flow of $H^+$ ions to synthesize $ATP$.

Chemiosmosis / Proton Motive Force

The process where a high concentration of $H^+$ outside the membrane flows back through ATPase to generate $ATP$ energy.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that does not require oxygen, the Krebs Cycle, or the $ETC$, and uses an organic molecule as the final electron acceptor.

Fermentation Products

Common resulting substances including lactic acid, alcohol, and mixed acids.

Aerobic Respiration ATP Yield

The energy production total of $34$ to $38\,ATP$ per glucose molecule.

Glycolysis and Fermentation ATP Yield

Both processes yield a net of $2\,ATP$ per glucose molecule.

Final Electron Acceptor in Fermentation

An organic molecule.

Role of $NADH$ and $FADH_2$

Carry electrons to the Electron Transport Chain ($ETC$).

Pyruvate's Third Carbon

The carbon atom released as $CO_2$ when converting pyruvate into the acetyl-CoA that enters the Krebs Cycle.