BIO 101: Lab 10 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

aerobic cellular respiration

the process by which cells breakdown glucose or other organic molecules to produce ATP energy in the presence of oxygen; produces 36-38 ATP

alcoholic fermentation

the anaerobic process by which yeasts and other microorganisms break down sugars to form carbon dioxide and ethanol (alcohol)

anaerobic cellular respiration

the process by which cells obtain energy from an energy source without using oxygen; also know as fermentation; produces 2 ATP

ATP

(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work

electron transport chain

takes the electrons from NADH and FADH2 molecules produced by glycolysis and the Kreb's cycle and passes them down a chain of proteins to produce 32-34 ATP; requires oxygen as the final electron acceptor; occurs in the cristae of the mitochondria

fermentation chamber

also known as a respirometer; used in lab to determine the rate of fermentation by measuring the air bubble height (more air means more carbon dioxide produced which means higher rate of alcoholic fermentation)

glycolysis

A metabolic process that breaks down carbohydrates and sugars through a series of reactions to pyruvic acid and releases energy for the body in the form of ATP; also releases some electrons which get incorporated into NADH; occurs in the cytosol and can occur with or without oxygen

Krebs cycle

also called the citric acid cycle; uses acetyl-coA and oxaloacetate to release a lot of electrons which get incorporated into NADH and FADH2; also makes carbon dioxide and 2 ATP; occurs in the matrix of the mitochondria and requires oxygen

lactic acid fermentation

the breakdown of glucose into lactic acid (lactate) and ATP

preparatory reaction

Reaction that oxidizes pyruvate with the release of carbon dioxide; results in acetyl CoA and connects glycolysis to the citric acid cycle; requires oxygen and occurs in the mitochondria

pyruvate

the end product of glycolysis; results from the breakdown of glucose