Aerobic Cellular Respiration

These flashcards cover the key concepts of aerobic cellular respiration, including processes, reactants, products, and related terms.

What is aerobic cellular respiration?

A process where glucose is oxidized to produce energy in the form of ATP.

What does glucose become during cellular respiration?

Glucose is oxidized to carbon dioxide, losing electrons.

What is the primary role of NAD⁺ and FAD in cellular respiration?

They act as electron carriers that accept electrons from glucose.

Are electrons transferred directly from glucose to oxygen?

No, they are first transferred to NAD⁺ and FAD before the electron transport chain.

What is the chemical formula for glucose?

C₆H₁₂O₆.

Why does glucose store a lot of energy?

Because it contains high-energy bonds such as C-C and C-H.

Is aerobic cellular respiration endergonic or exergonic?

Exergonic, as it releases energy by breaking down glucose.

What happens to oxygen during aerobic respiration?

Oxygen is reduced to water, gaining electrons.

What are the stages of aerobic cellular respiration?

Glycolysis, Pyruvate processing, Citric acid cycle (Krebs), Electron transport, ATP synthase.

Where does glycolysis occur?

In the cytoplasm.

What is the reactant of glycolysis?

Glucose.

What are the products of glycolysis?

2 pyruvate and 2 ATP molecules.

What is the electron carrier of glycolysis?

NAD⁺.

Is an electron harvested during glycolysis?

Yes.

Where does pyruvate processing occur?

In the mitochondria.

What is the reactant of pyruvate processing?

Pyruvate.

What are the products of pyruvate processing?

Acetyl-CoA and CO₂ is released.

What is the electron carrier of pyruvate processing?

NAD⁺.

Is an electron harvested during pyruvate processing?

Yes.

Where does the citric acid cycle occur?

In the mitochondria.

What is the reactant of the citric acid cycle?

Acetyl-CoA.

What are the products of the citric acid cycle?

CO₂ and ATP.

What are the electron carriers of the citric acid cycle?

NAD⁺ and FADH.

Are electrons harvested during the citric acid cycle?

Yes, the remaining high-energy electrons are harvested.

Where does the electron transport chain occur?

In the inner mitochondria.

What provides the energy for active transport of protons in the ETC?

Electrons harvested during redox reactions.

What drives ATP synthesis in oxidative phosphorylation?

The proton gradient formed by energy release from electrons.

What is the enzyme that drives ATP synthesis?

ATP synthase.

What happens to carbon in glucose during cellular respiration?

Carbon is oxidized and released as carbon dioxide.

What is the fate of oxygen inhaled during cellular respiration?

It acts as the final electron acceptor, converting to water.

What phase of aerobic cellular respiration also occurs in fermentation?

Glycolysis.

Why is NAD+ regeneration important in fermentation?

It recycles NADH back to NAD⁺, allowing glycolysis to continue and produce ATP.

What is the byproduct of fermentation in animal cells?

Lactic Acid.

What are the byproducts of fermentation in yeast?

Ethanol and CO₂.

What is the ATP yield from cellular respiration?

30 ATP.

What is the ATP yield from fermentation?

2 ATP.