Cellular Respiration Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a redox reaction?

Reactions that produce heat

Reactions that transfer protons

Chemical reactions that transfer electrons between reactants (correct)

Reactions that combine molecules

What happens during oxidation?

A substance loses electrons.

What is reduction?

A substance gains electrons.

What is an oxidizing agent?

The electron receptor. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reducing agent?

The reactant that gives away electrons. Signup and view all the answers

What does oxidative phosphorylation involve?

The addition of phosphate groups to ADP to make ATP, powered by redox reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the electron transport chain?

A series of proteins that transfer electrons to create a proton gradient for ATP production. Signup and view all the answers

What are the electron carrier molecules in cellular respiration?

NADH and FADH2. Signup and view all the answers

What is the final electron acceptor in cellular respiration?

O2. Signup and view all the answers

What is glycolysis?

The splitting of glucose to produce pyruvate. Signup and view all the answers

Where does ATP production primarily occur?

Mitochondria. Signup and view all the answers

What is aerobic respiration?

The breakdown of organic molecules with oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What is anaerobic respiration?

The breakdown of organic molecules without oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of fermentation?

Glycolysis plus additional reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What forms ATP during oxidative phosphorylation?

H+ gradient through ATP synthase. Signup and view all the answers

What is the overall chemical reaction for cellular respiration?

C6H12O6 + 6 O2 --> 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + Energy. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three stages of cellular respiration?

Glycolysis, Citric Acid Cycle, and Oxidative Phosphorylation. Signup and view all the answers

How many ATP molecules are produced from the breakdown of 1 glucose molecule?

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Why does glycolysis occur in the cytoplasm?

Because it does not require oxygen and is an anaerobic process. Signup and view all the answers

In which part of respiration is CO2 generated?

Citric Acid Cycle. Signup and view all the answers

What happens with pyruvate when oxygen is present?

It is oxidized into Acetyl-CoA. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Redox Reactions

Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons between reactants, critical for energy production.
Oxidation refers to a substance losing electrons, while reduction involves a substance gaining electrons.

Agents in Redox Reactions

An oxidizing agent gains electrons, increasing the charge of the substance it acts upon.
A reducing agent donates electrons, resulting in a reduction of charge for the substance it interacts with.

Cellular Respiration Processes

Oxidative phosphorylation combines oxidation and phosphorylation, primarily generating ATP from the energy of redox reactions.
The electron transport chain facilitates energy transfer to produce ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi).
Key electron carriers include NADH and FADH2, which play vital roles in energy transfer.

Mitochondrial Structure

Mitochondria, known as the powerhouse of the cell, contain cristae that increase surface area for energy production.
The intermembrane space separates the inner mitochondrial membrane from the outer membrane, while the mitochondrial matrix is the fluid within the inner membrane.

Key Metabolic Pathways

Glycolysis splits glucose into pyruvate, yielding a small amount of ATP.
The citric acid cycle completes the breakdown of glucose, generating ATP, NADH, FADH2, and CO2 in a series of eight steps.

Respiration Types

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen for the complete breakdown of organic molecules, producing significant ATP.
Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen, resulting in less energy yield and two main types of fermentation: alcohol and lactic acid.

ATP Generation

Each NADH contributes approximately 2.5 ATP, while each FADH2 contributes about 1.5 ATP due to their different points of entry in the electron transport chain.
The total ATP yield from the breakdown of one glucose molecule can range from 32 to 36 ATP, depending on cellular conditions.

Glycolysis and Other Reactions

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm, while conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA and the citric acid cycle happen in mitochondria.
In glycolysis, glucose is transformed into pyruvate, generating ATP and NADH.

Fermentation and Efficiency

Fermentation processes help regenerate NAD+ necessary for glycolysis to continue, despite not generating additional ATP.
Compared to aerobic respiration, fermentation is less efficient, yielding fewer ATP due to incomplete glucose breakdown.

Cellular Energy Utilization

During intense exercise, quick ATP sources diminish, leading to reliance on anaerobic processes.
Once blood glucose is depleted, the body utilizes stored glycogen and eventually turns to fats and proteins for energy.

Metabolic Regulation

Feedback inhibition prevents excessive ATP production when energy supplies are sufficient, maintaining cellular homeostasis.
Precursor metabolites are crucial for synthesizing macromolecules and energizing cellular metabolism.

Glucose Regulation

Converting glucose to pyruvate helps regulate blood glucose levels and prevent hypoglycemia.
The degradation of glycogen also plays a role in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

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Description

Explore key terms related to cellular respiration through these flashcards. Learn important concepts like redox reactions, oxidation, reduction, and the role of oxidizing agents. Perfect for biology students looking to solidify their understanding of these essential processes.