Terms
Acetyl Coenzyme A
-
A small molecule that carries acetyl functional groups in cells. Composed of an
acetyl group attached to a coenzyme A molecule. The starting product of the
citric acid cycle.
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
-
The molecule from which cells derive energy. Comprised of an
adenosine molecule
bonded to three phosphates, each phosphate bond contains energy, especially the
third bond. By breaking that one bond and reducing ATP to
adenosine
diphosphate (ADP), the cell can get the energy to carry out its various
processes.
Aerobic respiration
-
A metabolic process involving oxygen in the breakdown of glucose.
Anabolic
-
Term describing enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a cell that involves the synthesis of complex molecules out of simpler subunits and which uses energy.
Anaerobic respiration
-
A metabolic process that does not involve oxygen in the breakdown of
glucose.
Carbohydrate
-
A molecular compound containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Subunits are
sugars.
Catabolic
-
Term describing enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a cell that involve the
degradation of molecules into more simple subunits with the release of energy.
Chemotroph
-
An organism that derives its energy from the ingestion of food molecules.
Citric acid cycle
-
Also known as the Krebs Cycle; a metabolic pathway found in aerobic organisms that oxidizes acetyl coA groups to carbon dioxide and water.
Coenzyme
-
A molecule that participates in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction and functions to
transfer atoms or electrons between itself and various molecules.
Elimination reaction
-
A reaction that involves the ejection of a specific group from a molecule, often
resulting in the formation of a carbon-carbon double bond.
Glycolysis
-
A metabolic pathway occurring in the cell
*cytosol that during a
series of reactions converts glucose to pyruvate and synthesizes ATP**.
Isomerization
-
A reaction that does not change the atomic make-up of a molecule, but rather
changes its geometric conformation, yielding a slightly different molecule.
Lipid
-
An organic molecule that is insoluble in water. A main component of cell
membranes.
Metabolism
-
All the reactions occurring in an organism that participate in the acquisition
or conversion of energy for use in the organism.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
-
A coenzyme that participates in oxidation and reduction
reactions. An
important electron carrier in oxidative phosphorylation.
Oxidation
-
A reaction that involves the overall loss of electrons from a specific molecule
or atom. Can occur with the addition of an oxygen or by the removal of a
hydrogen.
Oxidative phosphorylation
-
A process occurring in the
mitochondria
that results in the formation of ATP from the flow of electrons to oxygen.
Photosynthesis
-
A process in which plants convert sunlight into energy sources that can be used
inside the cell to sustain life.
Phototroph
-
Organisms that obtain energy from sun light through
photosynthesis.
Protein
-
An essential molecule found in all cells. Composed of amino
acid subunits.
Reduction
-
A reaction that results in the overall gain of electrons to a specific molecule
or atom. Can occur with the addition of a hydrogen atom or by the removal of an
oxygen atom.
Respiration
-
A process that occurs in cells in which cells breakdown food molecules to yield
ATP. Can be either aerobic or anaerobic.
