Kapitel 13 Flashcards
Series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which large biological molecules are synthesized from smaller subunits; usually requires an input of energy.
anabolic pathway
Process by which cells harvest the energy stored in food molecules; usually accompanied by the uptake of O2 and the release of CO2.
cell respiration
Series of reactions that generates large amounts of NADH by oxidizing acetyl groups derived from food molecules to CO2. In eukaryotic cells - this central metabolic pathway takes place in the mitochondrial matrix.
citric acid cycle
A series of membrane-embedded electron carrier molecules that facilitate the movement of electrons from a higher to a lower energy level - as in oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis.
electron-transport chain
A high-energy electron carrier produced by reduction of FAD during the breakdown of molecules derived from food - including fatty acids and acetyl CoA.
FADH2 (reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide)
Type of lipid used by living cells to store metabolic energy. Mainly composed of triacylglycerols.
fat
The breakdown of organic molecules without the involvement of molecular oxygen. This form of oxidation yields less energy than aerobic cell respiration.
fermentation
Nucleotide that is produced by the hydrolysis of the terminal phosphate of GTP - a reaction that also produces inorganic phosphate.
GDP (guanosine 5′-diphosphate)
Set of enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which glucose is synthesized from small organic molecules such as pyruvate - lactate - or amino acids; in effect - the reverse of glycolysis.
gluconeogenesis
Six-carbon sugar that plays a major role in the metabolism of living cells. Stored in polymeric form as glycogen in animal cells and as starch in plant cells.
glucose
Branched polymer composed exclusively of glucose units used to store energy in animal cells. Granules of this material are especially abundant in liver and muscle cells.
glycogen
Series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions in which sugars are partially degraded and their energy captured by the activated carriers ATP and NADH. (Literally - “sugar splitting.”)
glycolysis
Nucleoside triphosphate used in the synthesis of RNA and DNA. Like the closely related ATP - serves as an activated carrier in some energy-transfer reactions. Also has a special role in microtubule assembly - protein synthesis - and cell signaling.
GTP (guanosine 5′-triphosphate)
Process in bacteria and mitochondria in which ATP formation is driven by the transfer of electrons from food molecules to molecular oxygen.
oxidative phosphorylation
Three-carbon metabolite that is the end product of the glycolytic breakdown of glucose; provides a crucial link to the citric acid cycle and many biosynthetic pathways.
pyruvate
