TCA Cycle Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from the lecture notes on the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle (TCA Cycle). They are designed to help students review important definitions and processes discussed in class.

Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle

Also known as the Citric Acid Cycle or Krebs Cycle, involved in aerobic respiration.

Glycolysis

The process by which glucose is converted to pyruvate, generating two ATP molecules.

Acetyl-CoA

The molecule formed from pyruvate that enters the TCA cycle.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process that leads to ATP production via electron transport and proton gradient.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons taken from NADH and FADH2 to oxygen.

NADH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; an electron carrier produced in glycolysis and the TCA cycle.

FADH2

Flavin adenine dinucleotide; an electron carrier similar to NADH but generates less ATP.

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC)

A multienzyme complex that converts pyruvate to acetyl-CoA.

E1, E2, E3

The three enzymes forming the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex components.

Oxaloacetate

A four-carbon molecule that combines with acetyl-CoA to enter the TCA cycle.

GTP

Guanosine triphosphate; energy currency produced in one of the TCA reactions.

Dihydrolipoamide

The form of lipoic acid that acts as an acyl carrier in the enzymatic reactions.

Enzyme Catalysis

The process whereby enzymes accelerate chemical reactions in the TCA cycle.

Proton Gradient

Difference in proton concentration across a membrane, used to produce ATP during oxidative phosphorylation.

Decarboxylation

The removal of a carboxyl group from pyruvate during its conversion to acetyl-CoA.