Chemotrophic Energy Metabolism and Glycolysis

A set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts in chemotrophic energy metabolism, glycolysis, and related processes.

Metabolism

All the chemical reactions in a cell, consisting of specific metabolic pathways.

Anabolic Pathways

Pathways that synthesize cellular components, requiring energy and usually increasing order.

Catabolic Pathways

Pathways that break down cellular components, releasing energy and usually increasing entropy.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy currency of the biological world.

Exergonic Reaction

A reaction that releases energy, such as the hydrolysis of ATP.

Endergonic Reaction

A reaction that requires energy input, such as anabolic pathways.

Phosphoanhydride Bonds

Energy-rich bonds in ATP that release free energy when hydrolyzed.

NAD+

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme that acts as an electron acceptor in biological oxidations.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating ATP.

Fermentation

The process by which pyruvate is metabolized in the absence of oxygen to regenerate NAD+.

Aerobic Respiration

The complete oxidation of glucose in the presence of oxygen, yielding more energy.

Obligate Aerobes

Organisms that require oxygen to survive.

Obligate Anaerobes

Organisms that cannot use oxygen and find it toxic.

Facultative Organisms

Organisms that can survive under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Cancer Cells

Cells that may ferment glucose to lactate even in the presence of oxygen, a process known as aerobic glycolysis.

Dehydrogenases

Enzymes that catalyze oxidation reactions by removing hydrogen.

Bioluminescent Work

Energy used by living organisms to produce light.

GTP

Guanosine triphosphate, a high-energy molecule similar to ATP.

Coenzymes

Molecules that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions by donating or accepting electrons.