Cellular Respiration and Energy Production

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cellular respiration, including the pathways of glucose breakdown, energy production mechanisms, and regulations involved in metabolic processes.

Respiration

The oxidative breakdown of organic molecules to produce ATP.

Aerobic respiration

The process that consumes organic molecules and O2 to yield ATP.

Fermentation

A partial degradation of sugars that occurs without O2.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions that transfer electrons between substances.

Oxidation

The process in which a substance loses electrons.

Reduction

The process in which a substance gains electrons, reducing its positive charge.

NAD+

An electron acceptor and coenzyme that gains electrons to become NADH.

Glycolysis

The first stage of catabolism of glucose, converting it into 2 molecules of pyruvate.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of eight steps that completes the oxidation of glucose, producing ATP and electron carriers.

Oxidative phosphorylation

The process that accounts for most of the ATP synthesis during cellular respiration.

ATP synthase

An enzyme that uses the H+ gradient to drive the phosphorylation of ATP.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of protons across a membrane using ATP synthase to produce ATP.

Fermentation

An anaerobic process that couples glycolysis with reactions that regenerate NAD+.

Obligate anaerobes

Organisms that cannot survive in the presence of O2 and carry out fermentation or anaerobic respiration.

Facultative anaerobes

Organisms that can use either aerobic respiration or fermentation depending on the presence of O2.

Phosphofructokinase

An enzyme that regulates glycolysis and is stimulated by AMP and inhibited by ATP and citrate.