Biochemistry

How Energy is Harnessed

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Key Terms
These are the key terms and concepts covered in this lesson. After you have
learned a term, take a moment to write out your own explanation of the term.

Aerobic

Anabolism

Anaerobic

ATP synthase

Catabolism

Cellular respiration

Coupling

Endergonic

Biochemistry
How Energy is Harnessed
Exergonic

Fermentation

Oxidative phosphorylation

TCA cycle

Key Molecules

• Acetyl-CoA

• ATP

• Coenzyme A

• FADH2

• Fatty acid

• Glucose

• Lactate

• NADH

Biochemistry
How Energy is Harnessed
 Key Reactions

• Carboxylation

• Phosphorylation

• Redox

• Reduction

• Oxidation

Biochemistry
How Energy is Harnessed
Concept Video Notes
Use the space below to jot down key points for each concept video. Attempt
to make connections between the concepts explained in these videos and
others already covered in the course. Are you unsure about any of the content?

Coupling, Part 1

Reduction / Oxidation

Coupling, Part 2

The Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle

Oxidative Phosphorylation, Part 1

Oxidative Phosphorylation, Part 2

Biochemistry
How Energy is Harnessed
Learning Objectives
After you have completed the lesson, go through the learning objectives again.
Are you able to fill in a complete response to each learning objective?

1) Recall the key molecules and chemical reactions involved in the transfer of energy in cellular catabolism.

2) Recall that the sources of high energy electrons in catabolic pathways are usually reduced carbon backbones and
provide examples.

3) Summarize the processes that lead to the generation of ATP from reduced carbon backbones.

4) Describe the different mechanisms by which cells “couple” thermodynamically favorable processes to thermodynamically
unfavorable processes.

5) Explain why coupling is necessary for cellular function.

6) Predict the metabolic and organismal consequences of a specified perturbation to cellular catabolic pathways.

Biochemistry
How Energy is Harnessed
Summary Figures
1) This figure traces the conversion of carbon backbones from many different molecules
through the TCA cycle. What happens to the carbon atoms in acetyl-CoA when it enters the
TCA cycle? Where does all of the energy go?

Biochemistry
How Energy is Harnessed
2) This figure depicts the movement of energy through the electron transport chain as the
redox reactions catalyzed by each of these complexes occurs. What is the “original” source of
the energy stored in NADH? Which processes are exergonic? Which reactions are coupled
to an endergonic process?

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Biochemistry
How Energy is Harnessed