Cellular Respiration and Biofuels Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on cellular respiration, anaerobic fermentation, biofuels, and related enzymes and processes.

Cellular Respiration

A series of biochemical reactions where energy-rich organic molecules (mainly glucose) are broken down to produce ATP.

Aerobic Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration that requires oxygen.

Anaerobic Fermentation

Cellular respiration that does not require oxygen.

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration where glucose (6C) is broken down into two pyruvate (3C) molecules.

Krebs Cycle

Second stage of aerobic cellular respiration that occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.

Link Reaction

Connects glycolysis to Krebs cycle; Pyruvate + Coenzyme A (CoA) → Acetyl-CoA.

Electron Transport Chain

Third stage of aerobic cellular respiration that occurs on the cristae (inner membrane) of mitochondria and produces the most ATP.

Pyruvate kinase

Catalyses final step of glycolysis → forms pyruvate + ATP.

Citrate synthase

First enzyme of Krebs cycle → recycles acetyl-CoA.

Cytochrome c oxidase

Final enzyme in ETC → attaches H⁺ and e⁻ to oxygen to form H₂O.

Anaerobic fermentation

The breakdown of glucose to generate ATP in the absence of oxygen, replenishing NAD+ for glycolysis to continue.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

Pathway in animals where pyruvate is converted into lactic acid, regenerating NAD+ for glycolysis.

Ethanol Fermentation

Pathway in yeasts where pyruvate is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide, regenerating NAD+ for glycolysis.

Biofuel

A fuel derived from biomass (organic material such as plants and animal waste).

Biomass

Renewable organic material from crops, food waste, wood, straw, and even animal by-products.

Fossil Fuels

Non-renewable energy sources like coal, crude oil, and natural gas formed over millions of years.

Hydrolysis

A reaction that uses water to break bonds in large molecules (e.g. starch → glucose).