Cellular Respiration & Fermentation

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to cellular respiration and fermentation, based on the student's lecture notes.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

A molecule that stores and transfers energy within cells.

ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate)

A molecule formed when a phosphate group is removed from ATP, releasing energy.

Phosphorylation

The process of adding a phosphate group to a molecule, such as a protein.

Aerobic Respiration

The process of producing cellular energy with oxygen.

Anaerobic Respiration

The process of producing cellular energy without oxygen.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Glycolysis

The first step in cellular respiration that breaks glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The production of ATP using the energy derived from redox reactions in the electron transport chain.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons between two species.

Reducing Agent

The electron donor in a redox reaction that gets oxidized.

Oxidizing Agent

The electron acceptor in a redox reaction that gets reduced.

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

The direct conversion of ADP to ATP by transferring a phosphate group during a chemical reaction.

Chemiosmosis

The process of ATP generation in the electron transport chain, driven by a proton gradient.

Homeostatic Imbalance

A situation where the equilibrium in physiological processes is disrupted, such as through cyanide poisoning.

Glycogenesis

The process of converting glucose to glycogen for storage when ATP synthesis exceeds demand.

Glycogenolysis

The breakdown of glycogen back into glucose when energy is needed.

Gluconeogenesis

The process of creating glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, often when blood sugar is low.