Biochemistry Chapter on Metabolic Reactions

The sum of all chemical reactions occurring in a living cell or organism.

Metabolic reactions that build larger molecules from smaller molecules or atoms.

Metabolic reactions that break large molecules down into smaller molecules.

The process where the chemical energy in glucose bonds is used by organisms and converted to metabolic energy.

The process where green plants use sunlight to convert solar energy into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules.

Reactions where reactants have less energy than products and require energy to complete.

Reactions where reactants have more energy than products and release energy during completion.

A coenzyme that carries hydrogen atoms and their associated electrons for energy transfer in metabolic reactions.

The main energy currency of the cell, storing energy in its two high-energy phosphate bonds.

The process of breaking down ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi), releasing energy.

An electron carrier in cellular respiration, similar to NADH but produced at a different point in the process, yielding slightly less ATP.

A simple molecule consisting of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, produced as a waste product of cellular respiration.

Organic molecules that work alongside enzymes to facilitate biochemical reactions. They often serve as carriers for electrons, atoms, or functional groups.

The final electron acceptor in aerobic respiration, accepting electrons at the end of the ETC and combining with protons to form water.

A coenzyme derived from vitamin B5, responsible for transferring acetyl groups to the citric acid cycle.

A lipid-soluble electron carrier that transfers electrons within the ETC, contributing to the proton gradient used for ATP production.

A process that occurs in the cytoplasm of cells, where glucose is broken down into lactic acid to generate energy in the absence of oxygen.

Respiration that does not require oxygen, using alternative electron acceptors.

A type of anaerobic respiration that uses nitrate as the final electron acceptor.

A type of anaerobic respiration that uses sulfate as the final electron acceptor.

The splitting of water molecules into oxygen, protons (H+), and electrons using light energy. This process occurs during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.

Oxygen is released as a byproduct of photolysis and is expelled from the plant through the stomata. It's used in aerobic respiration by other organisms (like us!)

Protons (H+) contribute to generating a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane, which powers ATP production in chemiosmosis.

Electrons from water are passed through the electron transport chain (ETC) in the thylakoid membrane, releasing energy to pump protons and ultimately reducing NADP+ to NADPH, which is used in the Calvin cycle.

Photosynthesis is a process that combines light-dependent and light-independent reactions to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

C3, C4, and CAM photosynthesis are adaptations to different environments, each maximizing energy production under specific conditions.

ATP is a high-energy molecule produced in both light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis. It provides energy for various reactions.

The Calvin cycle is the light-independent phase of photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide is converted into glucose using energy from ATP and NADPH.

The breakdown of glucose into two pyruvate molecules as the first step of glucose metabolism.

Anaerobic process where glucose is converted into ethanol and CO₂ to regenerate NAD⁺ for glycolysis.

ATP production using the electron transport chain (ETC) and chemiosmosis in the presence of oxygen.

The process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (a form of sugar) and oxygen.

These reactions require light energy to occur, splitting water molecules into oxygen, protons, and electrons, and driving the production of ATP and NADPH.

These reactions do not require light and use the ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions to fix carbon dioxide into glucose.

ATP is produced during the light-dependent reactions through photophosphorylation, where light energy energizes electrons, driving proton pumping and ATP synthase activity.

ATP is used to drive the conversion of 3-carbon molecules into G3P and regenerate RuBP during the Calvin Cycle, providing the energy needed for these processes.

The most common type of photosynthesis, where the Calvin Cycle directly fixes CO₂ into a 3-carbon compound, but suffers from photorespiration in hot, dry conditions.

This type of photosynthesis first fixes CO₂ into a 4-carbon compound in mesophyll cells, transporting it to bundle sheath cells for the Calvin Cycle, thus reducing photorespiration.

This type of photosynthesis fixes CO₂ at night into 4-carbon compounds, storing it until daytime when it's released for the Calvin Cycle, allowing for water conservation.