Cellular Metabolism and Energy Conversion Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards defining key enzymes, cellular structures, hydrogen carriers, and metabolic pathways involved in cellular respiration and alternative fuel usage based on lecture transcript notes.

Pyruvate

The three-carbon ionized form of pyruvic acid produced at the end of glycolysis when a glucose molecule is split.

Kinase

An enzyme that catalyzes reactions that add or remove a phosphate group to or from a substrate.

Isomerase

An enzyme that changes the shape of a molecule without adding or removing any atoms, creating an isomer.

Matrix

The inner compartment of a mitochondrion containing fluid, circular DNA, ribosomes, and enzymes.

Intermembrane space

The compartment situated between the outer and inner membranes of a mitochondrion where hydrogen ions are pumped to create a gradient.

Cristae

The inner folds of the mitochondrial membrane that function to increase surface area.

Cofactor A (CoA)

A non-catalytic molecule that attaches reversibly to an acetyl group to transport it into the citric acid cycle.

Acetyl

A two-carbon module formed when carbon dioxide is pulled off of a pyruvate molecule.

FAD

A hydrogen carrier molecule that picks up hydrogens released during the citric acid cycle.

ATP synthase

An enzyme embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane that uses energy from diffusing hydrogen ions to attach a phosphate to $ADP$, creating $ATP$.

Fermentation

The anaerobic process of converting pyruvate to lactate in animal cells, or to alcohol and carbon dioxide in certain yeast cells.

Lactate

The ionized form of lactic acid produced from pyruvate when oxygen is unavailable.

Glycogenesis

The creation or polymerization of glycogen from glucose monomers under hormonal influence.

Glycogenolysis

The hydrolysis or enzymatic breakdown of stored glycogen into glucose.

Gluconeogenesis

The energy-expensive process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as glycerol or amino acids.

Lipogenesis

The conversion of non-lipid monomers, such as sugars and amino acids, into glycerol and fatty acids to make stored triglycerides.

Lipolysis

The process of hydrolyzing stored triglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids.

Beta oxidation

The process of removing hydrogens and breaking down fatty acid chains two carbons at a time to form acetyl groups.

Ammonia

A toxic, alkaline waste product formed during the deamination of extra amino acids, which the liver converts into urea.