Redox reactions

Oxidation

The process that involves the loss of electrons; typically results in energy loss and formation of bonds.

Reduction

The process that involves the gain of electrons; typically results in energy gain and formation of bonds.

Cellular respiration

A redox metabolic pathway that oxidizes glucose into carbon dioxide and reduces oxygen into water.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that breaks glucose into 2 molecules of pyruvate, occurring in the cytoplasm and does not require oxygen.

Fermentation

The metabolic process that follows glycolysis in the absence of oxygen, converting pyruvate into lactate or alcohol.

Electron shuttle molecules

Molecules such as NAD and FAD that temporarily carry high-energy electrons during cellular respiration.

Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)

The cycle that completely oxidizes acetyl CoA to carbon dioxide, producing NADH, FADH2, and ATP.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of proteins embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane where electrons are transferred to create a proton gradient.

Chemiosmosis

The process of using energy stored in a proton gradient to produce ATP, facilitated by ATP synthase.

Photosynthesis

A redox metabolic pathway that converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using light energy.

Light-dependent reactions

The part of photosynthesis that occurs in the thylakoid membrane, converting light energy into ATP and NADPH.

Calvin Cycle

The light-independent reactions of photosynthesis taking place in the stroma, using ATP and NADPH to reduce carbon dioxide to sugars.

Stroma

The fluid-filled space surrounding the thylakoids in chloroplasts where the Calvin Cycle occurs.