ATP & Other Energy Molecules

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to ATP, metabolism, glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain, based on lecture notes.

ATP

The chemical carrier of energy and the source of energy in our cells.

ATP Synthesis

ATP is synthesized from ADP: ADP + Pi + H+ -> ATP + H2O. This process occurs continually as ATP is used for various cellular reactions.

ATP, ADP, and AMP

ATP is Adenosine triphosphate. ADP is Adenosine diphosphate. AMP is Adenosine monophosphate. Adenosine is adenine (nitrogenous base) + ribose (sugar).

ATP Hydrolysis

ATP + H2O -> ADP + Pi + H+. Pi indicates the phosphate group (PO43-). ADP can be further hydrolyzed to generate AMP.

Metabolism

The sum of reactions that take place in a living cell and provide the body with energy. It involves catabolism (extracting energy) and anabolism (producing new molecules).

Glycolysis

A metabolic pathway that needs some energy input (ATP) to start and ends up with 4 ATP, 2 NADH, and pyruvate.

Krebs Cycle

Also known as the TCA cycle or citric acid cycle, it is a circular metabolic pathway.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A process where NADH and FADH formed during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle are used to generate ATP. It uses oxygen and involves oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS).

NAD+ and FAD

Biological oxidation/reduction agents used to shuttle energy between reactions. NAD+ needs to be regenerated in another reaction and receives hydrides from metabolic processes; NADH can donate a hydride.

Metabolic Pathways

Reactions arranged into pathways where the product of one reaction is the reactant for the next, each step is catalyzed by an enzyme, and energy is required.

Citric Acid Cycle

Another name for the Krebs Cycle or TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle, involves a series of chemical reactions to release stored energy.

Catabolism

The process of extracting nutrients, substances, and energy from the environment.

Anabolism

The process of using energy to produce new molecules in a cell.

Intermediates

The molecules in metabolic pathways.