Energy and Ecosystems Flashcards
What is the definition of respiration?
Respiration is the process of releasing energy from organic compounds (mainly glucose) in cells to produce ATP.
What is the overall equation for aerobic respiration?
The overall equation for aerobic respiration is: C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + energy (ATP)
What is the role of ATP in respiration?
ATP provides immediate energy for cellular processes like muscle contraction, active transport, and protein synthesis.
What are the stages of aerobic respiration?
The stages are: Glycolysis, the Link Reaction, the Krebs Cycle, and Oxidative Phosphorylation (Electron Transport Chain and Chemiosmosis).
Where does glycolysis take place in the cell?
Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell.
What is the net ATP yield from glycolysis?
The net ATP yield from glycolysis is 2 ATP molecules per molecule of glucose.
What happens during glycolysis?
In glycolysis, one molecule of glucose (6-carbon) is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate (3-carbon), producing 2 ATP and 2 NADH molecules.
What is the Link Reaction?
The Link Reaction is the conversion of pyruvate to Acetyl-CoA, which occurs in the mitochondria, producing NADH and CO2 as a by-product.
Where does the Krebs cycle take place?
The Krebs cycle takes place in the mitochondrial matrix.
What happens in the Krebs cycle?
The Krebs cycle involves the decarboxylation and dehydrogenation of Acetyl-CoA, producing ATP, NADH, FADH2, and releasing CO2.
What is the role of NADH and FADH2 in respiration?
NADH and FADH2 carry electrons to the electron transport chain during oxidative phosphorylation, helping to generate ATP.
Where does oxidative phosphorylation occur?
Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where the electron transport chain and ATP synthase are located.
What is the electron transport chain (ETC)?
The ETC is a series of protein complexes that transfer electrons from NADH and FADH2 to oxygen, creating a proton gradient across the mitochondrial membrane.
What is chemiosmosis?
Chemiosmosis is the process where protons flow back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase, driving the production of ATP.
How much ATP is produced in aerobic respiration?
Aerobic respiration can produce up to 38 ATP molecules per molecule of glucose in the theoretical maximum (2 ATP from glycolysis, 2 ATP from the Krebs cycle, and 34 ATP from oxidative phosphorylation).
What is the role of oxygen in aerobic respiration?
Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, combining with electrons and protons to form water, which allows the chain to continue.
What is anaerobic respiration?
Anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen and leads to the partial breakdown of glucose to produce small amounts of ATP.
What is the result of anaerobic respiration in animals?
In animals, anaerobic respiration produces lactic acid from pyruvate, leading to oxygen debt.
What is the result of anaerobic respiration in yeast?
In yeast, anaerobic respiration produces ethanol and carbon dioxide in a process known as alcoholic fermentation.
What is the theoretical and actual ATP yield in aerobic respiration?
The theoretical ATP yield from aerobic respiration is 38 ATP per glucose molecule, but the actual yield is often around 30-32 ATP due to inefficiencies.
What is the importance of the proton gradient?
The proton gradient created by the electron transport chain is essential for driving ATP synthesis during chemiosmosis via ATP synthase.
