Overview of Biology 211: Biomolecules and Cellular Systems

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to cellular processes such as metabolism, respiration, and energy transformation in biological systems.

Aerobic Respiration

The process of producing cellular energy in the presence of oxygen by breaking down glucose.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through oxidation of acetate derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons through redox reactions to generate a proton gradient.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that creates ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using energy from a proton gradient.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of ions across a selectively permeable membrane down their electrochemical gradient.

Proton Motive Force

The force that promotes movement of protons across membranes, creating a potential energy gradient.

NADH

a high-energy electron carrier produced in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.

FADH2

a redox cofactor produced during the Krebs cycle, that is also an electron carrier.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen. Also oxidizes NADH to NAD+ to allow glycolysis to continue.

Acetyl-CoA

A molecule that participates in many biochemical reactions in protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Anaerobic Respiration

The process of producing cellular energy without the use of oxygen, using electron acceptors such as sulfate or nitrate.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The metabolic pathway in which cells use enzymes to oxidize nutrients, thereby releasing energy which is used to reform ATP.

ATP Yield

The amount of ATP produced from cellular respiration, typically around 32 ATP for aerobic respiration.

Pyruvate Oxidation

The process of converting pyruvate into Acetyl-CoA in the presence of oxygen.

Glycolysis Pathway

Pathway involving 10 reactions that converts glucose to pyruvate, yielding ATP and NADH.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, which is available for doing work.

Coenzymes

Organic non-protein compounds that assist enzymes in catalyzing biochemical reactions.

Energy Intermediates

Molecules such as ATP, NADH, and FADH2 that store energy in a form that can be used by the cell.

Reduction

The process in which a substance gains electrons, often associated with the storage of energy.

Enzyme Function

Enzymes act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in biological systems.

Pathways of Glucose Metabolism

Include glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain for energy production.

Intermembrane Space

The space between the inner and outer membranes of organelles, such as mitochondria, where protons are pumped during electron transport.

Mitochondrial Matrix

The space within the inner membrane of a mitochondrion where the Krebs cycle occurs.

Electron Flow in ETC

Electrons are transferred through protein complexes from NADH and FADH2 to oxygen, releasing energy.

Feedback Mechanism

A regulatory process in which the output of a pathway influences its own production.

Energy Transformation

The process of changing energy from one form to another, such as from chemical energy in glucose to ATP.

Cellular Energy Balance

The state of energy production and consumption within a cell, maintaining homeostasis.