Topic 6 and 7 Notes

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce ATP through cellular respiration.

Cellular Respiration

Process by which cells harvest energy from organic molecules, producing ATP.

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration that splits glucose into two pyruvates.

Pyruvate Oxidation

The conversion of pyruvate into acetyl CoA, occurring in the mitochondria.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of reactions that break down acetyl CoA to produce ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A sequence of proteins in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons to drive ATP production.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Process involving the ETC and chemiosmosis to produce ATP.

NADH

A reduced coenzyme that carries electrons to the ETC.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using a proton gradient.

Anaerobic Respiration

A form of respiration that generates ATP without oxygen, using other final electron acceptors.

Fermentation

Biological process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

A type of fermentation that converts glucose to lactate when oxygen is not present.

Alcohol Fermentation

A metabolic process converting sugars to ethanol and carbon dioxide in the absence of oxygen.

Proton Gradient

A difference in proton concentration across a membrane that drives ATP synthesis.

Chemiosmosis

Process of using the gradient of protons across a membrane to drive ATP production.

Oxidation

The loss of electrons from a substance during a chemical reaction.

Reduction

The gain of electrons by a substance during a chemical reaction.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules to form simpler ones, releasing energy.

Substrate Level Phosphorylation

Direct generation of ATP from ADP and a phosphorylated intermediate during glycolysis and citric acid cycle.

Final Electron Acceptor

The molecule that receives electrons at the end of the electron transport chain, typically oxygen.

Exergonic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy.