Skip to main content
Back

Cellular Respiration and Energy Production

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/20

Terms in this set (20)

  • What is the primary molecule that stores energy in cells?
    The primary molecule is adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which stores energy in its chemical bonds.
  • What are the two main stages cells use to break down glucose for energy?
    Cells break down glucose in two stages: glycolysis and cellular respiration.
  • Where does glycolysis occur and what does it produce?
    Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and produces 2 ATP and 2 pyruvate molecules from one glucose molecule.
  • What happens to pyruvate in the presence of oxygen?
    Pyruvate enters the mitochondria and is broken down into CO2, water, and 34-36 ATP through cellular respiration.
  • What is fermentation and when does it occur?
    Fermentation is an anaerobic process that occurs when oxygen is absent, converting pyruvate into lactate or ethanol and CO2 without producing ATP.
  • What is the overall chemical equation for cellular respiration?
    The equation is C6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + ATP + heat.
  • What are the four metabolic pathways involved in glucose metabolism?
    They are glycolysis, pyruvate breakdown, Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
  • What is the role of NAD+ in glycolysis?
    NAD+ accepts electrons and hydrogen ions to form NADH, a high-energy electron carrier.
  • What happens during the activation phase of glycolysis?
    Glucose is phosphorylated by two ATP molecules to form fructose bisphosphate, making it more reactive.
  • What is produced during the energy harvest phase of glycolysis?
    Two molecules of G3P are converted to pyruvate, producing a net gain of 2 ATP and 2 NADH.
  • Where does cellular respiration occur in eukaryotic cells?
    It occurs in the mitochondria, specifically in the matrix and inner membrane.
  • What happens to pyruvate in the mitochondrial matrix?
    Pyruvate is converted to acetyl CoA, releasing CO2 and producing NADH.
  • What is the Krebs cycle and what does it produce per acetyl CoA?
    The Krebs cycle is a metabolic cycle that produces 2 CO2, 1 ATP, 3 NADH, and 1 FADH2 per acetyl CoA.
  • What is the electron transport chain (ETC)?
    The ETC is a series of protein complexes in the mitochondrial inner membrane that transfer electrons and pump protons to create a gradient.
  • What is the role of oxygen in the ETC?
    Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor, combining with electrons and protons to form water.
  • What is chemiosmosis in cellular respiration?
    Chemiosmosis is the process where protons flow back through ATP synthase, driving the synthesis of ATP from ADP and phosphate.
  • How many ATP molecules are produced from one glucose molecule during cellular respiration?
    Between 36 and 38 ATP molecules are produced per glucose molecule.
  • Why is fermentation necessary in anaerobic conditions?
    Fermentation regenerates NAD+ so glycolysis can continue producing ATP without oxygen.
  • What are the two main types of fermentation?
    They are lactic acid fermentation (producing lactate) and alcoholic fermentation (producing ethanol and CO2).
  • How do muscle cells use fermentation during intense activity?
    Muscle cells convert pyruvate to lactate to regenerate NAD+ when oxygen is scarce.