Respiration Flashcards
Why do cells respire?
In order to produce ATP, which stores the energy needed for metabolic reactions.
What process is part of both aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
Glycolysis
What is the role of oxygen in aerobic respiration?
Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in the oxidative phosphorylation electron transport chain. It combines with protons and electrons to form water.
Describe the process of glycolysis.
- Phosphorylation of glucose using 2 x ATP (to form hexose bisphosphate which then splits to form two molecules of triose phosphate)
- Oxidation of triose phosphate to form (2 molecules of) pyruvate (2 x NADH + 4 x ATP)
- Net gain of 2 x ATP
- NAD reduced
What does aerobic respiration mean?
With oxygen
What does anaerobic respiration mean?
Without oxygen
How does the structure of the mitochondria maximise rate of respiration?
The inner membrane of the mitochondrion provides a large surface area
What is a coenzyme?
A molecule that aids the function of an enzyme by transferring a chemical group from one molecule to another.
What coenzymes are used in respiration?
NAD, conenzyme A, FAD
What molecule does NAD and FAD transfer?
H - hydrogen allows them to reduce (give H) or oxidise (take H) a molecule.
What molecule does coenzyme A transfer?
Acetate
What are the 4 stages of aerobic respiration?
- Glycolysis
- Link Reaction
- The Krebs Cycle
- Oxidative phosphorylation
Where does glycolysis take place?
In the cytoplasm of cells
Where do the other three stages of aerobic respiration take place?
In the mitochindrial matrix
What can be used as a respiratory substrate in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
Glucose
What are the products of glycolysis?
2 reduced NAD
2 ATP net gain
2 Pyruvate
What are the products of anaerobic glycolysis - animals?
lactate - lactate fermentation
What are the products of anaerobic glycolysis - plants?
ethanol - alcohol fermentation
pyruvate –> (loss co2) ethanal –> (NADH –> NAD) ethanol
Products of the link reaction
2 acetyl coenzyme A
2 CO2
2 reduced NAD
Where do the prodcuts of the link reaction go to?
2 acetyl coenzyme A –> Krebs cycle
2 CO2 –> released as waste product
2 reduced NAD –> oxidative phosphorylation
What happens in the link reaction?
Converts pyruvate (from glycolysis) to acetyl coenzyme A
Breakdown of the link reaction?
Pyruvate is decarboxylated - 1C removed in the form of CO2
At the same time - pyruvate is oxidised to form acetate
NAD reduced to NADH
Acetate combined with CoA to form acetyl CoA
No ATP is produced.
How many times does the link reaction occur per glucose molecule?
Twice - because glycolysis produces 2 pyruvate
What are the 3 stages of the Krebs Cycle?
Formation of a 6C compound
Formation of a 5C compound
Regeneration of oxoloacetate
What reactions make up the Krebs cycle?
A series of oxidation-reduction reactions
Describe the formation of the 6 carbon compound in the Krebs Cycle
Acetyl coenzyme A combines with a 4C molecule (oxoloacetate) to form a 6C molecule (citrate)
Coenzyme A goes back to the link reaction
Equation showing the formation of 6C compound (KREBS)
Acetyl CoA [2C] + Oxoloacetate [4C] –> (CoA) citrate [6C]
Describe the formation of the 5C compound in the Krebs cycle
6C is converted to a 5C as decarboxylation occurs where a CO2 molecule is lost.
Dehydrogenation occurs and the H is used to produce NADH from NAD.
Equation showing the formation of 5C compound (KREBS)
Citrate [6C] –> (CO2 + (NAD –> NADH) 5C compound