Glycolysis and Gluconeogenesis Concepts

This set of flashcards contains key terms and definitions related to glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, crucial metabolic pathways in human metabolism.

Glycolysis

A metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate or lactate.

Gluconeogenesis

The reversal of glycolysis where lactate or pyruvate is converted back to glucose.

Pyruvate

The end product of glycolysis, which can be converted to acetylCoA or lactate.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

An energy-carrying molecule used as a direct energy source in cell processes.

NADH

A reduced form of NAD+ that carries electrons to the oxidative phosphorylation pathway.

Hexokinase

An enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose to glucose 6-phosphate.

Phosphofructokinase

A key regulatory enzyme in glycolysis that phosphorylates fructose 6-phosphate to fructose 1,6-bisphosphate.

Aldolase

An enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate into two three-carbon intermediates.

Substrate Level Phosphorylation

The direct generation of ATP by the transfer of a phosphate group from a substrate to ADP.

Cori Cycle

The metabolic pathway where lactate produced by glycolysis during exercise is converted back to glucose in the liver.

Enzymatic Bypass

The replacement of irreversible steps of glycolysis with different reactions in gluconeogenesis.

Energy Charge

A measure of the proportion of adenylate energy compounds (ATP, ADP, AMP) in a cell.

Lactate

The product of anaerobic glycolysis when pyruvate is reduced during low oxygen conditions.

AcetylCoA

A key molecule that enters the citric acid cycle for further energy extraction after glycolysis.

Nucleotide Sugars

Sugar derivatives that use nucleotides to facilitate energetically unfavorable biochemical reactions.

3-Phosphoglycerate

A three-carbon intermediate formed in glycolysis, which is converted to phosphoenolpyruvate.