Cellular Respiration Flashcards
Define cellular respiration
A set of metabolic reactions in which oxygen is used to make energy [ATP] from glucose
Explain how pyruvate is broken down in anaerobic cell respiration
Fermentation, O2 not present, lactic acid in animals and alcoholic in plants, only 2 ATP
Explain how pyruvate is broken down by aerobic cell respiration
Link reaction, O2 is present, pyruvate enters mitochondria and converts into acetyl CoA [2 carbon sugar] after which decarboxylation occurs which is oxidized by NAH+, and coenzyme A is acidified
State what glucose (in the cytoplasm) is broken down into during cell respiration.
2 pyruvate containing 3 carbons each
Compare oxidation and reduction
Oxidation: involves gaining oxygen and losing hydrogen (electrons)
Reduction: involves losing oxygen and gaining hydrogen (electrons)
Outline the process of glycolysis including phosphorylation, lysis, oxidation, and ATP formation
glucose is phosphorylated using 2 ATP,
glucose ring is phosphorylated,
glucose is split (lysis) into 2 3-carbon sugars called pyruvates,
pyruvate molecule sugars are oxidized by NAD+,
4 ATP are produced (2 Net ATP)
Name the structural components of the mitochondrion
Mitochondrial matrix, inner membrane, outer membrane, cristae
Explain the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate (link reaction) role in aerobic respiration
Pyruvate is combined with coenzyme A to release a carbon dioxide molecule and form acetyl-CoA. This results in the reduction of a molecule of NAD+ to NADH
Explain the Kreb cycle’s role in aerobic respiration
Two carbons enter the reaction in the form of acetyl-CoA. These produce two molecules of carbon dioxide. The reactions generate three molecules of NADH and one molecule of FADH. A molecule of ATP is produced
Explain the electron transport chain’s role in aerobic respiration
NADH and FADH2 donate the electrons that are obtained from previous steps of cellular respiration to the ETC. This step requires oxygen. Without oxygen molecules to accept the depleted electrons at the end of the ETC, the electrons will back up and the process of ATP creation would not be able to continue.
Explain oxidative phosphorylation in terms of chemiosmosis
Oxidation of NADH and FADH2 removes hydrogen to setup ATP synthase protein gradient
Explain the relationship between the structure of the mitochondrion and its function
Mitochondria have a double membrane. In the inner membrane, the electron transport chain exists allowing ATP to be diffused out of the mitochondria’s membrane, through the concentration gradient.
State three properties of oxidation
- Loss of electrons/hydrogen
- Gaining of oxygen
- Reducing agent
State three properties of reduction
- Gain of electrons/hydrogen
- Loss of oxygen
- oxidizing agent
Where is CO2 present in cellular respiration?
The link reaction and Kreb’s Cycle
