Aerobic Respiration

Krebs cycle

Also known as the Citric Acid Cycle or Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle (TCA cycle), it is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process in which NADH and FADH2 donate electrons to the electron transport chain (ETC), leading to the pumping of H+ ions across the inner mitochondrial membrane to create a proton gradient, ultimately resulting in the production of ATP from ADP and Pi.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane where electrons from NADH and FADH2 are transferred, leading to the pumping of protons into the intermembrane space and the generation of a proton gradient for ATP synthesis.

Chemiosmosis

The process by which the proton gradient generated by the electron transport chain drives the flow of protons back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase, leading to the production of ATP.

ATP synthase

An enzyme complex located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that utilizes the flow of protons down their electrochemical gradient to catalyze the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi).