Cellular Respiration and ATP Production

These flashcards cover essential concepts and terms related to cellular respiration, ATP production, and the biochemical processes involved.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert chemical energy from glucose into ATP, involving glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, the Kreb's cycle, and the electron transport chain.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The main energy carrier in cells, providing immediate energy for various cellular functions.

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing a net gain of 2 ATP.

Anaerobic Respiration

The process of generating energy without oxygen, resulting in either alcohol or lactic acid fermentation.

Aerobic Respiration

Cellular respiration that requires oxygen and produces up to 36 ATP from one glucose molecule.

NADH and FADH2

Electron carriers that transfer electrons to the electron transport chain, playing a key role in ATP production.

Kreb's Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)

The cycle that completes the oxidation of glucose derivatives, releasing CO2 and transferring energy to electron carriers.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of compounds located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfers electrons and pumps H+ ions to generate ATP.

Chemiosmosis

The process by which ATP is produced in mitochondria as H+ ions flow back across the membrane through ATP synthase.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that allows for the regeneration of NAD+ from NADH in the absence of oxygen, enabling glycolysis to continue.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

A type of anaerobic respiration that converts glucose into lactic acid and generates 2 ATP.

Alcohol Fermentation

A form of anaerobic respiration where glucose is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide, producing 2 ATP.

Glucose

A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and a primary reactant in cellular respiration.

Pyruvate

The end product of glycolysis that can enter aerobic respiration pathways or be fermented under anaerobic conditions.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The final stage of aerobic respiration where ATP is produced in the mitochondria using energy from electrons transferred through the ETC.

Energy Efficiency of Cellular Respiration

Approximately 36% of the energy in glucose is converted into ATP; the rest is released as heat.