Respiration (A-level only) Flashcards
Glycolysis
Happens in cytoplasm
ATP hydrolase breaks down 2 ATP to make 2 lots of ADP and pi
Glucose is phosphorylated into the more reactive glucose phosphate
Glucose phosphate is then converted into to GP and then splits onto 2 TP
TP is oxidised to form pyruvate and the released hydrogen reduces NAD
This release energy which is used to convert ADP and pi to produce 4 ATP
Anaerobic vs Aerobic respiration
If respiration is only anaerobic, pyruvate can be converted to ethanol or lactate using reduced NAD. The oxidised NAD produced in this way can be used in further glycolysis.
If respiration is aerobic, pyruvate from glycolysis enters the mitochondrial matrix by active transport
Link reaction
Happens in the matrix
Pyruvate release carbon dioxide and hydrogen to form acetate
Hydrogen the reduces NAD
Coenzyme A combines to acetate to form acetylCo enzyme A
Kerbs cycle
This happens in the matrix
Acetyl coA combines with a 4 carbon molecule to produce a 6 carbon molecule
The 6 carbon molecule release carbon dioxide and hydrogen into a 5 carbon molecule
The hydrogen oxidised NAD into NADH2
The 5 carbon molecule does the same and the redox reaction release energy to produce ATP
The 4 carbon molecule release hydrogen to reduce FAD
Oxidative phosphorylation
The reduced coenzymes (NAD/ FAD) release hydrogens which are photo ionised into protons and electrons
The electrons are transferred along the ETC in a series of redox reactions and the energy released is used to pump protons across the cristae into the the interemembrane space
This creates an electrochemical gradient so protons diffuse out through ATP synthase and activate it
ATP synthase phosphorylates many ADP into ATP
At the end oxygen acts as the final acceptor and is reduced by the protons and electrons to produce water