Term Definition

Acetyl-CoA A molecule that plays a central role in metabolism, serving as a

precursor for the synthesis of fatty acids and as a key intermediate
in the citric acid cycle.
Aerobic cellular The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into carbon
respiration dioxide, water, and energy (in the form of ATP) in the presence of
oxygen.
Allosteric Pertaining to the regulation of an enzyme or protein by the binding
of a regulatory molecule at a site other than the active site,
affecting the enzyme's activity.
Anaerobic A metabolic process that generates energy from glucose in the
fermentation absence of oxygen, producing lactic acid or ethanol as byproducts.
ATP (Adenosine The primary energy currency of the cell, used to drive cellular
Triphosphate) processes by releasing energy stored in its phosphate bonds.
ADP Pi Adenosine diphosphate and inorganic phosphate; the molecules
formed when ATP loses one phosphate group during energy-
releasing reactions.
Biofuel Fuel derived from organic materials (biomass) that can be used as
an alternative to fossil fuels for energy production.
Biomass Organic material, such as plant matter or agricultural waste, that
can be used as a renewable energy source.
Bundle sheath cell A type of cell found in C4 plants, surrounding the vascular bundles
and involved in the Calvin cycle.
C3 plant A type of plant that utilizes the C3 pathway for carbon fixation
during photosynthesis.
C4 plant A type of plant that utilizes the C4 pathway for carbon fixation
during photosynthesis, often found in hot and dry environments.
Calvin cycle The series of biochemical reactions in photosynthesis that
synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide using ATP and NADPH
produced during the light-dependent reactions.
CAM plant A type of plant that utilizes Crassulacean Acid Metabolism, an
adaptation for water conservation in arid conditions.
Carbon fixation The process by which carbon dioxide is converted into organic
compounds during photosynthesis.
Cellular respiration The biochemical process by which cells break down glucose and
other organic molecules to produce ATP, releasing carbon dioxide
and water as byproducts.
Chloroplast Organelles found in plant cells and some algae where
photosynthesis occurs, containing chlorophyll and other pigments.
Coenzyme A non-protein compound that is necessary for the functioning of an
enzyme, often participating in the enzyme's catalytic activity.
Competitive A molecule that competes with the substrate for binding to the
inhibitor active site of an enzyme, thereby inhibiting the enzyme's activity.
Cristae Folded inner membranes of mitochondria where electron transport
chains are located.
Electron transport A series of protein complexes and electron carriers in the inner
chain mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons and generate a
proton gradient, ultimately producing ATP.
Enzyme A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions by lowering
the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.
FADH2 Flavin adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme that carries electrons
during cellular respiration, donating them to the electron transport
chain.
FAD Flavin adenine dinucleotide, the oxidized form of FADH2, which
accepts electrons during cellular respiration.
Glycolysis The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate,
producing ATP and NADH in the cytoplasm.
Granum (plural: Stacks of thylakoid membranes in chloroplasts where the light-
Grana) dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.
Inhibitor A molecule that binds to an enzyme and decreases its activity,
thereby slowing down or preventing the catalysis of a specific
chemical reaction.
Krebs cycle Also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, a
series of biochemical reactions that oxidize acetyl-CoA to produce
ATP and electron carriers.
Lactic acid Anaerobic fermentation in which pyruvate is converted into lactic
fermentation acid, regenerating NAD+ for glycolysis to continue in the absence of
oxygen.
Malic acid (Malate) An organic acid involved in various metabolic pathways, including
the C4 pathway in photosynthesis.
Matrix The innermost compartment of mitochondria where the Krebs
cycle occurs.
Mesophyll cell Leaf cells that contain chloroplasts and are involved in
photosynthesis.
Mitochondria Organelles responsible for cellular respiration and energy
production, containing their own DNA and ribosomes.
NAD+ Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, a coenzyme involved in redox
reactions, accepting electrons and becoming reduced to NADH.
NADH The reduced form of NAD+, carrying electrons to the electron
transport chain for ATP production during cellular respiration.
NADP+ Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate, a coenzyme
involved in anabolic reactions, accepting electrons and becoming
reduced to NADPH.
NADPH The reduced form of NADP+, carrying electrons for biosynthetic
reactions, such as those in the Calvin cycle during photosynthesis.
Non-competitive A molecule that binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active
inhibitor site, causing a conformational change that reduces the enzyme's
activity.
Organic Pertaining to compounds containing carbon atoms bonded to
hydrogen atoms, often associated with living organisms.
PEP carboxylase An enzyme that catalyzes the addition of carbon dioxide to
phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) in C4 plants during carbon fixation.
Photolysis The process of splitting water molecules into oxygen, protons, and
electrons during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
Photorespiration A metabolic pathway in plants where oxygen is consumed and
carbon dioxide is released, counteracting the normal carbon-fixing
reactions of photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis The process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria
convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose and
other organic molecules.
Proton pump Proteins in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts or the inner
mitochondrial membrane that transport protons across the
membrane, contributing to the formation of a proton gradient for
ATP synthesis.
Pyruvate A key intermediate in glycolysis and the starting point of the Krebs
cycle, formed from the breakdown of glucose.
RuBisCO Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, the enzyme
responsible for catalyzing the first step of the Calvin cycle, where
carbon dioxide is fixed into organic molecules.
Stomata Small openings on the surface of plant leaves and stems that
regulate gas exchange, allowing for the uptake of carbon dioxide
and release of oxygen and water vapor.