5-3_-_Catabolism_in_chemoorganotrophs

Chemoorganotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy from organic compounds.

Glycolysis

Metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, yielding energy in the form of ATP.

Citric Acid Cycle (CAC)

Metabolic cycle that processes acetyl-CoA to produce NADH and FADH2 and generate ATP.

Substrate-level phosphorylation

Production of ATP without the use of an electron transport chain, occurring directly in metabolic pathways.

Oxidative phosphorylation

Process where ATP is produced as electrons pass through the electron transport chain and create a proton gradient.

Fermentation

Anaerobic metabolic process that converts glucose into ATP, making byproducts like lactic acid or ethanol.

Proton motive force

The force generated across a membrane by the pumping of protons during electron transport, used for ATP synthesis.

Redox reaction

Chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons from one substance to another.

Terminal electron acceptor

Molecule that receives electrons at the end of the electron transport chain, critical for respiration.

Lactic acid fermentation

Conversion of glucose to lactic acid via glycolysis, regenerating NAD+ for continued ATP production.

Ethanol fermentation

Process where glucose is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide, commonly used by yeast.

Electron transport chain (ETC)

Series of protein complexes that transfer electrons and pump protons to generate ATP.

ATP synthase

Enzyme that uses the proton gradient to synthesize ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.

Facultative anaerobes

Organisms that can live with or without oxygen, switching between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism.

Biosynthesis

The process of producing complex molecules from simpler ones; important in cell growth and metabolism.

Chemoorganotrophic metabolism

Metabolic process by which chemoorganotrophs utilize organic compounds for energy and biosynthesis.

Anaerobic respiration

Respiration process that occurs without oxygen, using alternative electron acceptors such as nitrate.

Capable redox balance

Achieving a balance of electron donors and acceptors in metabolic processes to prevent toxic build-up.

GTP

Guanosine triphosphate; similar to ATP and often produced in the citric acid cycle.

Heterofermentative

Microbes that produce multiple fermentation products, such as lactate, ethanol, and carbon dioxide.

Mixed acid fermentation

Fermentation producing a mix of organic acids (e.g., acetate, lactate) along with ethanol.