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Cellular respiration is a metabolic process by which cells convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), releasing waste products. It involves a series of redox reactions and occurs in three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
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The electron transport chain is a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that facilitates the transfer of electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors via redox reactions. This process generates a proton gradient across the membrane, ultimately driving the synthesis of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
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Oxidative phosphorylation is the process by which cells generate ATP, the primary energy currency, through the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis in the mitochondria. This process is crucial for aerobic respiration, as it efficiently converts energy stored in nutrients into a usable form for cellular activities.
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NADH is a crucial coenzyme in cellular respiration, acting as an electron carrier that facilitates the transfer of electrons in metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. It plays a vital role in the production of ATP by donating electrons to the electron transport chain, ultimately driving oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria.
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FADH2 is a crucial coenzyme in cellular respiration, primarily functioning as an electron carrier in the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain. It is synthesized from FAD by accepting two hydrogen atoms, resulting in the reduction of FAD to FADH2, which subsequently donates electrons to the electron transport chain to produce ATP.
Concept
Cytochromes are heme-containing proteins that play a crucial role in electron transport chains, facilitating the transfer of electrons within cells to enable processes like cellular respiration and photosynthesis. They are essential for energy production in aerobic organisms and are involved in various biochemical pathways, including drug metabolism and detoxification in the liver.
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Redox reactions, short for reduction-oxidation reactions, involve the transfer of electrons between chemical species, with one species undergoing oxidation (loss of electrons) and the other undergoing reduction (gain of electrons). These reactions are fundamental to numerous biological and industrial processes, including cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and metal extraction.
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ATP synthesis is the process by which cells produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the cell, through mechanisms such as oxidative phosphorylation and substrate-level phosphorylation. This process is vital for cellular functions, as ATP provides the energy required for various biochemical reactions and physiological processes.
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Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing the energy currency of the cell, ATP, through the process of oxidative phosphorylation. They also play crucial roles in other cellular processes, including signaling, cellular differentiation, and apoptosis, making them integral to maintaining cellular health and function.
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Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, stored as glucose, using carbon dioxide and water. This process not only sustains plant life but also produces oxygen, which is essential for most life forms on Earth.
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Chloroplasts are specialized organelles found in plant cells and some algae, responsible for conducting photosynthesis by converting light energy into chemical energy stored as glucose. They contain the pigment chlorophyll, which captures light energy, and have their own DNA, suggesting an evolutionary origin from cyanobacteria through endosymbiosis.
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Quinones are a class of cyclic organic compounds characterized by a fully conjugated cyclic dione structure, which plays a crucial role in electron transport and redox reactions in biological systems. These compounds are essential in various applications, including their roles as electron acceptors in photosynthesis and as intermediates in the biosynthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals.
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Flavoproteins are a group of proteins that contain a nucleic acid derivative of riboflavin, such as flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) or flavin mononucleotide (FMN), which serve as cofactors in various biological reactions. These proteins are crucial for redox reactions, acting as catalysts in processes like cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and the bioluminescence of certain organisms.
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