Fermentation

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Fermentation Noun

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[fur-men-tay-shun]

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Fermentation

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An anaerobic process following glycolysis that releases energy from food by producing ATP in the absence of oxygen.

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Example: This diagram shows alcoholic fermentation, where pyruvic acid is broken down into ethanol and carbon dioxide, a process used by organisms like yeast.

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Glycolysis Noun

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[gly-kol-i-sis]

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Glycolysis

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The initial metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvic acid, producing a small amount of ATP without oxygen.

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Example: This diagram shows glycolysis, the process where one glucose molecule is broken down into two pyruvate molecules, releasing a small amount of energy as ATP.

Front

ATP Noun

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[ay-tee-pee]

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ATP

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The main energy-carrying molecule, known as adenosine triphosphate, that is used to power nearly all cellular activities.

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Example: This diagram shows the ATP-ADP cycle, where ATP, the cell's energy currency, releases energy by losing a phosphate group to become ADP.

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NAD+ Noun

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[en-ay-dee-plus]

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NAD+

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A coenzyme that functions as an essential electron carrier, accepting high-energy electrons during glycolysis to become NADH.

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Example: This diagram shows how the molecule NAD+ accepts electrons and a proton to become NADH (reduction), a key step in energy pathways like fermentation.

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NADH Noun

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[en-ay-dee-aych]

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NADH

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The reduced form of NAD+ that carries high-energy electrons harvested from glucose during glycolysis to other metabolic pathways.

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Example: This image shows the chemical change when NAD+ gains electrons and a proton to become NADH, a process called reduction, which is key to energy transfer.

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Pyruvic acid Noun

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[py-roo-vik as-id]

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Pyruvic acid

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A three-carbon molecule that is the end product of glycolysis and serves as the starting reactant for fermentation.

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Example: This diagram shows pyruvic acid being converted into lactic acid, a key step that happens during the process of fermentation.

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Anaerobic Adjective

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[an-uh-roh-bik]

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Anaerobic

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Describes a biological process, such as fermentation, that occurs in the absence of or does not require oxygen.

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Example: This diagram shows how glucose is broken down without oxygen (anaerobically) into lactate, producing a small amount of energy (ATP) in the process.

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Aerobic Adjective

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[air-oh-bik]

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Aerobic

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Describes a biological process, such as the later stages of cellular respiration, that requires the presence of oxygen.

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Example: This diagram shows aerobic cellular respiration, a process that uses oxygen to break down glucose (food) into carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP).

Front

Alcoholic Fermentation Noun

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[al-kuh-hol-ik fur-men-tay-shun]

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Alcoholic Fermentation

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An anaerobic process, used by yeast, that converts pyruvic acid into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide to regenerate NAD+.

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Example: Yeast consumes sugar to produce alcohol, carbon dioxide gas, and heat in a process called alcoholic fermentation.

Front

Lactic Acid Fermentation Noun

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[lak-tik as-id fur-men-tay-shun]

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Lactic Acid Fermentation

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An anaerobic process that converts pyruvic acid into lactic acid, occurring in some bacteria and animal muscle cells.

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Example: This diagram shows how glucose is broken down into pyruvate, releasing a little energy (ATP), which is then converted into lactate to continue the process.