Introduction to Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration

These flashcards cover the key concepts from the lecture on glycolysis, fermentation, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain.

What is glycolysis and where does it occur?

Glycolysis is the process of breaking down glucose into pyruvate, and it occurs in the cytosol.

What happens to pyruvate if oxygen is present?

If oxygen is present, pyruvate is converted into acetyl CoA, which then enters the citric acid cycle.

What is lactic acid fermentation and when does it occur?

Lactic acid fermentation occurs in the absence of oxygen, converting pyruvate into lactate, typically in vertebrates.

What is alcohol fermentation and which organisms perform it?

Alcohol fermentation converts pyruvate into ethanol and occurs in yeast and some bacteria.

How is NAD+ regenerated during anaerobic respiration?

NAD+ is regenerated when electrons from NADH are transferred to pyruvate, forming lactate.

Which biomolecules can contribute to the formation of acetyl CoA?

Carbohydrates, proteins (amino acids), and lipids (fatty acids) can all be converted to acetyl CoA.

Where do the citric acid cycle and electron transport chain occur?

The citric acid cycle and electron transport chain occurs in the mitochondria.

What is the final product of glycolysis?

The final product of glycolysis is two pyruvate and two net ATP.

What is the main purpose of the citric acid cycle?

The main purpose of the citric acid cycle is to oxidize acetyl CoA and produce electron carriers NADH and FADH2.

How does the electron transport chain generate ATP?

The electron transport chain creates a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis as protons flow back through ATP synthase.

What is the relationship between NADH and FADH2 in cellular respiration?

Both NADH and FADH2 are electron carriers that transport electrons to the electron transport chain.

Why do plants and animals have a symbiotic relationship in relation to gas exchange?

Plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis, while animals exhale carbon dioxide and use oxygen for respiration.

What is the significance of fermentation in cellular metabolism?

Fermentation allows cells to regenerate NAD+ under anaerobic conditions, enabling glycolysis to continue.

What does a cycle in the citric acid cycle mean?

A cycle means that the final product of the process regenerates a starting reactant, allowing the cycle to continue.

How does chemiosmosis work in ATP synthesis?

Protons flow back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase, which synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.