Unit 4: Redox & Cellular Respiration Flashcards
Define
Redox Reaction
Paired chemical reactions in which one reactant gains an electron pair from another reactant
Describe
Parts of a redox reaction
Molecule that GAINS electron(s) is REDUCED
Molecule that LOSES electron(s) is OXIDIZED
Ae- + B -> A + Be-
A starts the reaction with an electron, which gets given to B. During the reaction:
A gets oxidized
B gets reduced
Describe a molecule that has been oxidized
Has lost electrons
Has lower potential energy
Fewer C-C or C-H bonds and/or more C-O bonds
Describe a molecule that has been reduced
Gained electrons
Has higher potential energy
Has more C-C or C-H bonds and/or fewer C-O bonds
What makes organic molecules “high energy”
Lots of C-H bonds, which can be oxidized to release energy
If an electron goes from a very electronegative atom to a less electronegative atom, it has been…
reduced
(gained potential energy; decreased stability)
Describe the two electron carriers used during cellular respiration
Oxidized (low energy) forms: NAD+ and FAD
Each gains a pair of electrons and one or two H+ ions
Reduced (high energy) forms: NADH and FADH2
What are electron carriers?
Molecules that can transfer electrons from one place to another, by easily cycling between reduced (with electrons) and oxidized (without electrons) states
What two ways (mechanisms) can ATP be made?
- Oxidative phosphorylation
- Substrate level phosphorylation
Describe
oxidative phosphorylation
general, for both cellular respiration and photosynthesis
Making ATP using an electron transport chain and ATP synthase
Describe
Substrate level phosphorylation
Making ATP by transferring phosphate from one molecule to an ADP
What causes the electrons to move during the ETC?
Each protein in the electron transport chain is more electronegative.
Electrons “hop” to sequentially more electronegative molecules
What is needed in all electron transport chains?
- A source of electrons
- A source of energy (which may be the electrons themselves)
- A final electron acceptor
What are the two major parts of aerobic cellular respiration?
Oxidation of glucose
&
Oxidative phosphorylation
What happens during the oxidation of glucose?
General overview
High-energy C-H bonds in glucose are oxidized, which fuels the production of reduced electron carriers and a small amount of ATP
State
Steps of Glucose Oxidation
Glycolysis (includes investment & payoff phases)
Link reaction
Citric acid cycle / Krebs Cycle