Glucose Metabolism and Cellular Respiration

These flashcards cover key concepts related to glucose metabolism and cellular respiration, helping students understand the breakdown of glucose, the stages of cellular respiration, and the generation of ATP.

What is the primary molecule utilized to generate ATP in cells?

Glucose is the primary molecule used to generate ATP.

How much ATP does the average person synthesize daily?

The average person synthesizes their weight in ATP molecules each day.

What is the process called by which glucose is broken down to generate ATP?

Glycolysis is the process by which glucose is broken down.

Where does glycolysis occur?

Glycolysis occurs in the cell cytoplasm.

What are the products of glycolysis?

Two pyruvate molecules, two ATP, and two NADH are produced.

What is the Krebs cycle also known as?

The Krebs cycle is also referred to as the TCA cycle or citric acid cycle.

What happens to pyruvate after glycolysis?

Pyruvate undergoes an intermediate step to become acetyl CoA.

What do NADH and FADH2 carry to the electron transport chain?

NADH and FADH2 carry high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain.

What is the primary purpose of the electron transport chain?

To generate a large amount of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation.

How is ATP generated in the electron transport chain?

ATP is generated through chemiosmosis via ATP synthase.

What is fermentation?

Fermentation is an anaerobic process that allows the regeneration of NAD+ from NADH.

What are the two types of fermentation and their products?

Lactic acid fermentation produces lactic acid, and alcoholic fermentation produces ethanol.

Why do cells undergo fermentation?

Cells undergo fermentation to regenerate NAD+ when oxygen is unavailable.

What is aerobic cellular respiration?

Aerobic cellular respiration is the set of reactions that require oxygen to generate ATP.

How much ATP can aerobic cellular respiration yield from one glucose molecule?

Aerobic cellular respiration can yield up to 38 ATP molecules from one glucose.

What is the main difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

The main difference is the final electron acceptor: oxygen for aerobic and alternative acceptors for anaerobic.

What role do enzymes play in metabolic pathways?

Enzymes catalyze specific reactions in metabolic pathways.

How does ATP function in cellular processes?

ATP acts as the energy currency of the cell, used for various metabolic reactions.

What process generates the proton motive force in the electron transport chain?

The movement of electrons through the chain generates the proton motive force.

What is oxidative phosphorylation?

Oxidative phosphorylation is the process of ATP generation by the electron transport chain.

Where does the Krebs cycle occur?

The Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.

What are the products of the krebs cycle?

2 ATP, NADH, and 2 FADH2