Metabolism

Flashcards for Molecular Biology Lecture Review

Metabolism

The entirety of chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.

Anabolism

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that carries energy within cells for metabolism.

ATP Hydrolysis

The process by which the terminal phosphate bond of ATP is broken, releasing energy and changing the shape and binding ability of the molecule.

Glycolysis

The breakdown of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, yielding 2 ATP molecules per glucose

Krebs Cycle

A series of chemical reactions that extract energy from 2 pyruvate, producing 6 carbon dioxide in 8 steps

Oxidative Phosphorylation (OP) and Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A process in cellular respiration where the ETC synthesizes ATP from ADP and phosphate during the oxidation of NADH and FADH2. forms 32 ATP molecules

Fermentation

An anaerobic process that generates ATP without oxygen and without ETC. 2 ATP per glucose