Biochemistry 1

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

An enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, producing bisphosphoglycerate.

NADH

A reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide that carries hydrogen atoms during glycolysis.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that stores and releases energy in cells.

Glucokinase

An enzyme specific to glucose that phosphorylates glucose to form glucose 6-phosphate.

Hexokinase

An enzyme that phosphorylates six-carbon sugars to form glucose 6-phosphate.

Phosphofructokinase-1

An enzyme that phosphorylates fructose 6-phosphate to form fructose 1,6-bisphosphate.

Aldolase

An enzyme that cleaves fructose 1,6-bisphosphate into dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate.

Triose phosphate isomerase

An enzyme that interconverts dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate.

Anaerobic

A process that occurs without the presence of oxygen.

Aerobic

A process that requires the presence of oxygen.

Substrate level phosphorylation

The transfer of a phosphate group from a substrate to ADP, resulting in the formation of ATP.

Oxidative phosphorylation

The generation of ATP through the transfer of electrons in the electron transport chain.

Cytoplasm

The fluid portion of the cell where glycolysis occurs.

Mitochondrial matrix

The innermost compartment of the mitochondria where the Krebs cycle occurs.

G (Gibbs)

The free energy of a chemical system.

Inhibited

The process of reducing or blocking the activity of an enzyme.

Activated

The process of increasing the activity of an enzyme.

Glucokinase

An enzyme specific to glucose that phosphorylates glucose to form glucose 6-phosphate.

Glucagon

A hormone that stimulates glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis.

Insulin

A hormone that promotes glucose uptake and storage in muscle and liver cells.

The Cori Cycle

The cycle in which lactate produced by glycolysis in muscles is transported to the liver and converted back to glucose.

Lactic acidosis

A condition characterized by an increase in lactate levels in the bloodstream, resulting from decreased oxygen delivery or increased lactate production. (more than 4mmol)