Glycolysis and the Citric Acid Cycle

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Glycolysis and the Citric Acid Cycle, focusing on metabolic pathways, energy production, and cellular respiration.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH in the process.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Catabolism

The metabolic process that breaks down large molecules into smaller units, releasing energy.

Anabolism

The metabolic process that builds large molecules from smaller units, requiring energy.

Exergonic reaction

A reaction that releases energy, usually associated with catabolic processes.

Monomers

Small, basic molecular units that can join together to form larger molecules.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate molecule composed of many sugar units bonded together.

Hydrolysis

The reaction involving the breaking down of a compound by adding water.

Glycogen

A stored form of glucose found in liver and muscle cells of animals.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate molecule composed of two sugar units bonded together.

Amino acids

The building blocks of proteins, which can be used for energy.

Deamination

The process of removing an amino group from an amino acid, preparing it for metabolism.

Beta oxidation

The metabolic process of breaking down fatty acids into acetyl-CoA units.

Acetyl-CoA

A key molecule in metabolism that enters the citric acid cycle.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in all living organisms.

Essential amino acids

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.

Fatty acids

Carboxylic acids with long aliphatic chains that are components of lipids.

Intermediate compounds

Molecules that are formed during the various steps of metabolic pathways.

Biosynthetic pathways

Metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units using energy.

Chemical cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Energy flow

The transfer of energy from one form to another within ecosystems.

Hydrolysis of starch

The breakdown of starch into glucose using the addition of water.

NADH

An electron carrier that stores energy used in cellular respiration.

Fat storage

The process by which excess energy is stored in the form of fat.

Glycerol

A three-carbon molecule that forms the backbone of triglycerides.

Metabolic interchanges

The ability of cells to convert one type of molecule into another as needed.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

Oxygen

A reactant in aerobic cellular respiration needed for the complete oxidation of glucose.

Acetyl production

The conversion of fatty acids into acetyl-CoA through beta oxidation.

Calorific value of fat

The amount of energy produced from the oxidation of fat is greater than that from carbohydrates.

Fats as fuels

Fats are more efficient energy sources due to their chemical structure.

Glycolytic intermediates

Substances formed during glycolysis that can be used for various biosynthetic processes.

Metabolism versatility

The adaptability of metabolic processes to use different types of molecules for energy.

Chemical energy

Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, which can be released during reactions.

Digestion of proteins

The breakdown of proteins into amino acids, which can then be used in various metabolic processes.

Carbohydrate structure

The molecular composition and arrangement of atoms in carbohydrate molecules.

Fat structure

The molecular composition and arrangement of atoms in fat molecules that affect their energy content.

Nutritional sources

Different types of food contributions, including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, to energy production.

Muscle energy source

The primary sources of energy utilized by muscle cells during various activities.