Cell Energy Extraction

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to cell energy extraction and metabolism, including definitions of important concepts, processes, and molecules.

Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1)

A protein found in brown adipose tissue that dissipates the H+ gradient and leads to heat production instead of ATP.

Obesity

A condition characterized by an excessive amount of white adipose tissue, which is being studied in relation to brown fat activity as a potential obesity treatment.

Exergonic Reactions

Chemical reactions that release energy to their surroundings, typically associated with catabolic processes.

Endergonic Reactions

Chemical reactions that absorb energy from their surroundings, usually associated with anabolic processes.

Glycolysis

The metabolic process that converts glucose into pyruvate and produces a small amount of energy without requiring oxygen.

Citric Acid Cycle

A metabolic cycle that oxidizes acetyl CoA to produce CO2, NADH, FADH2, and GTP.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

A mitochondrial process where ATP is produced through the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that uses the energy from the electrochemical gradient of protons to produce ATP during chemiosmosis.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that allows ATP production in the absence of oxygen, converting NADH back to NAD+.

Redox Reactions

Reactions that involve the transfer of electrons, where oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the gain of electrons.

Activated Carriers

Molecules like ATP, NADH, and NADPH that store and transfer energy in a form that cells can use.

Thermodynamics

The study of energy transformations, with cells adhering to its laws which govern energy usage in biological systems.

Catabolic Reactions

Chemical processes that break down molecules, releasing energy, such as the breakdown of glucose.

Anabolic Reactions

Chemical processes that build up molecules, requiring energy, such as the synthesis of glucose.

Entropy

A measure of disorder in a system, which tends to increase in any energy transfer or transformation.

Chemiosmosis

The process where protons diffuse back into the mitochondrial matrix to produce ATP.

Electrochemical Gradient

A gradient formed by differences in charge and concentration, important for ATP production in mitochondria.

NAD+

A coenzyme that functions as an electron carrier in redox reactions.

FAD

A coenzyme involved in redox reactions, similar to NAD+, but with different roles in energy metabolism.