Chapter 14: Electron Flow, Respiration, Lithotrophy, Methanogenesis and Phototrophy

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to electron flow, respiration, and biosynthesis as discussed in Chapter 14 and the related lecture notes.

Proton Motive Force (PMF)

The electrochemical gradient of protons generated by the electron transport system, driving ATP synthesis.

Electron Transport System (ETS)

A series of membrane-embedded protein carriers that facilitate the movement of electrons from donors to acceptors.

Redox Chemistry

The study of oxidation and reduction reactions, crucial for understanding energy transfer.

Lithotrophy

Energy acquisition via the oxidation of inorganic electron donors.

Methanogenesis

The reduction of CO2 and other single-carbon compounds to methane, primarily carried out by archaea.

Anaerobic Respiration

A process in which prokaryotes generate energy without using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor.

Dissimilatory Metal Reduction

A process where metal cations are reduced as part of anaerobic respiration.

Bacteriorhodopsin

A protein found in archaea that captures light energy to drive ATP synthesis.

NADH

A reducing agent that donates electrons in metabolic reactions, playing a key role in energy production.

Carboxysomes

Polyhedral structures in some organisms that concentrate CO2 for fixation.

Calvin Cycle

A series of biochemical reactions that convert CO2 into glucose, utilizing energy from ATP and NADPH.

Alternative Electron Acceptors

Molecules other than oxygen used by prokaryotes during anaerobic respiration.

Sulfide Oxidation

A process in which sulfide compounds are oxidized by bacteria, often creating an acidic environment.