Chapter 5 Aerobic Respiration [Autosaved]

Mitochondria

Organelles that act as the power plant of the cell, producing ATP through energy from food molecules.

Aerobic Respiration

Metabolic process that requires oxygen to produce ATP from glucose.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, utilizing an electrochemical gradient.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons and pump protons to create an electrochemical gradient in the mitochondria.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Process through which ATP is formed as a result of transferring electrons down the electron transport chain, coupled with proton movement.

Apoptosis

Controlled process of programmed cell death that dismantles cellular components without causing inflammation.

Necrosis

Uncontrolled cell death often resulting from injury, leading to inflammation.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

Circular DNA located in mitochondria, inherited maternally, and used for ancestry studies.

Fusion and Fission

Processes by which mitochondria can merge with each other or divide, affecting their number and structure.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that can lead to oxidative damage in cells.

Mitochondrial Disease

A group of disorders caused by dysfunctional mitochondria, affecting energy production in cells.

TCA Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of enzymatic reactions that produce energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA, leading to the generation of NADH and FADH2.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating a small amount of ATP.

Malate-Aspartate Shuttle

A mechanism that transfers electrons from NADH produced in the cytosol into the mitochondria.

Glycerol Phosphate Shuttle

A mechanism that transfers electrons from cytosolic NADH to FAD in the mitochondria, producing FADH2.

Cytokine

A signaling molecule that can influence the activity of cells in immune responses.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Abnormalities in mitochondrial function that can lead to disease symptoms, often affecting muscle or brain cells.

Drp1

A dynamin-related protein that facilitates mitochondrial fission.

OPA1

A protein involved in mitochondrial fusion.

Brown Adipose Tissue

A type of fat tissue that is involved in thermogenesis and has uncoupling proteins.

Caloric Restriction

A dietary regimen that reduces caloric intake without malnutrition, potentially extending lifespan.