Cellular respiration terms

Question 1

acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA)

Answer 1

The product of pyruvate decarboxylation formed when coenzyme A is coupled to an acetyl group.

Question 2

ATP synthase

Answer 2

An enzyme complex, consisting of a rotor and a stator, that uses the kinetic energy of protons flowing down their concentration gradient to phosphorylate ADP into ATP. Found in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Question 3

chemiosmosis

Answer 3

The process by which the electrochemical proton gradient established by the electron transport chain is harnessed to phosphorylate ADP into ATP.

Question 4

electron transport chain

Answer 4

A series of protein complexes and small molecules that successively accept and donate electrons originating from NADH and FADH2, ultimately donating them to O2. The redox potential that is generated is harnessed to establish an electrochemical proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Question 5

glycolysis

Answer 5

A catabolic process in which glucose is broken down into two 3-carbon molecules of pyruvate. Occurs in the cytosol.

Question 6

oxidative phosphorylation

Answer 6

The combination of two processes, the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis, that harness the redox potential in glycolysis, pyruvate decarboxylation and the citric acid cycle to generate ATP from ADP.

Question 7

proton-motive force

Answer 7

The potential energy of the protons accumulated in the intermembrane space that is used to generate ATP during chemiosmosis.

Question 8

pyruvate

Answer 8

A 3-carbon organic molecule that is the end product of glycolysis.

Question 9

reactive oxygen species

Answer 9

Substances such as peroxides and free radicals that are produced as normal byproducts of cellular respiration but can also cause oxidative damage to DNA and other biomolecules.