Biological Processes and Energy Transformations

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to biological processes, cellular respiration, and energy transformations based on the lecture notes.

Aerobic respiration

A three-stage process that includes Glycolysis, the Citric acid cycle, and the Electron transport chain.

Electron transport chain

The final phase of aerobic respiration where electrons are passed down to oxygen, producing most of the ATP.

Oxidative phosphorylation

The process that produces ATP by using energy released from electrons moving through the electron transport chain.

Cyanide effect

Blocks the flow of electrons to oxygen and halts ATP production, causing cell death.

Exergonic reactions

Reactions that release energy and are typically catabolic.

Light reactions in photosynthesis

The part of photosynthesis that produces ATP and NADPH required for the Calvin Cycle.

Glycolysis

The process that splits glucose into two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules and produces ATP.

Potential energy example

Concentrated H+ ions trapped in the intermembrane space of the mitochondria.

Photosynthesis products

Glucose and oxygen produced as a by-product of light reactions.

Enzyme catalysis

The process by which enzymes speed up chemical reactions by reducing activation energy.

Digestion

The process in which large food molecules are broken down into smaller components by enzymes.

Vitamin C

An essential micronutrient that human bodies cannot synthesize but require.

ATP

A molecule that stores energy in its terminal phosphate bonds.

Calvin Cycle

The stage of photosynthesis that synthesizes glucose using products from the light reactions.

Chemical bonds

The source of energy in biological molecules, particularly in carbon compounds.