Cellular Respiration and NAD Roles

NAD is a molecule that carries electrons from one reaction to another, especially during cellular respiration. It's like a tiny mail carrier, delivering electrons to the electron transport chain where energy is released.

NADH is the reduced form of NAD. It gains electrons and hydrogen, becoming 'full' like a grocery cart after a shopping trip. This is a key step in energy production.

It's a chemical reaction where one molecule loses electrons (oxidation) and another gains electrons (reduction). NAD plays a key role in this, transporting electrons like a shuttle.

During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate, and NAD accepts electrons to become NADH. This NADH is like a loaded delivery truck carrying energy to the electron transport chain.

It is the chain of reactions where electrons are passed down, releasing energy that is used to make ATP. NADH plays a crucial role by providing these electrons.

The first step in glycolysis, where glucose is phosphorylated (a phosphate group is added) using two ATP molecules. This results in glucose-6-phosphate.

The process of breaking down a 6-carbon sugar (hexose) into two 3-carbon compounds. This occurs during glycolysis.

The oxidation of triose phosphate during glycolysis, where it loses electrons and NAD gains electrons (is reduced). This step generates a negative charge on the molecule.

The process of generating ATP in glycolysis. It involves phosphate groups being transferred from high-energy molecules to ADP, producing ATP. This step produces pyruvate as a final product.

The breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen. It occurs in muscle cells and produces lactic acid as a waste product.

The process of converting glucose into pyruvate, generating a small amount of ATP and NADH. It's the first stage of cellular respiration and its main goal is to maintain NAD availability.

The process of using the energy stored in the electron gradient to synthesize ATP. Requires the movement of hydrogen ions across a membrane via ATP synthase.

The molecule responsible for carrying electrons from glycolysis to the electron transport chain (ETC). It gets reduced (gains electrons) during glycolysis.

The final stage of cellular respiration where electrons are passed down a chain of molecules, releasing energy to produce ATP. NADH delivers electrons to the ETC.

The products of glycolysis: 2 pyruvate molecules, 2 NADH molecules, and 2 ATP molecules.

The link reaction is a crucial step in cellular respiration, connecting glycolysis to the Krebs cycle by converting pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, a 2-carbon compound.

Pyruvate, a 3-carbon molecule produced by glycolysis, undergoes decarboxylation, losing a carbon atom and becoming acetyl-CoA, a 2-carbon molecule.

The inner mitochondrial membrane holds a chain of proteins that accept and pass electrons, ultimately reducing oxygen (O2) into water (H2O). Think of it like a conveyor belt carrying electrons to their final destination.

Acetyl-CoA is a key molecule that enters the Krebs cycle and is formed by the link reaction, where pyruvate loses a carbon atom and becomes acetyl-CoA.

The Krebs cycle is a series of enzymatic reactions that occur in the mitochondria, where acetyl-CoA is oxidized to produce electron carriers (NADH and FADH2), ATP, and carbon dioxide.

The electron transport chain utilizes a gradient of protons (hydrogen ions) across the mitochondrial membrane. This gradient is created by pumping protons into the intermembrane space, making it more positively charged than the matrix. It's like a crowd pushing through a narrow doorway, creating pressure.

The electron transport chain uses oxygen (O2) as the final electron acceptor. Oxygen is combined with hydrogen ions to form water (H2O). It's the finishing touch, accepting the electrons and ending the chain reaction.

Oxaloacetate is a 4-carbon molecule that acts as a starting point and ending point for the Krebs cycle, combining with Acetyl-CoA to form citric acid, a 6-carbon compound.

The rate of respiration can be measured by observing the decrease in oxygen used or the increase in carbon dioxide produced during the process.

Temperature influences respiration rate. Higher temperatures generally increase the rate of biochemical reactions, including respiration. Similar to how cooking food faster at higher temperatures.

Larger organisms have more cells and a higher metabolic demand, leading to a faster rate of respiration. Think of a large animal needing more energy to move compared to a smaller one.

The energy currency of cells. It's a high-energy molecule that stores and releases energy for various cellular activities.

The process by which cells break down organic compounds like glucose to release energy in the form of ATP. It's like a power plant for your cells.

This process occurs when oxygen is present and allows for complete breakdown of glucose, releasing a large amount of ATP. Imagine a car with a full tank of gas.

This process occurs in the absence of oxygen and produces less ATP per glucose molecule, resulting in fermentation and byproducts like lactic acid or ethanol. Imagine a car running on fumes.

This process is responsible for moving substances across cell membranes against their concentration gradient. It requires energy from ATP. Think of a pump pushing water uphill.