3.5.A—Describe the processes and structural features of mitochondria that allow organisms to use energy stored in…

Describe the processes and structural features of mitochondria that allow organisms to use energy stored in biological macromolecules.

• Cellular respiration uses energy from biological macromolecules to synthesize ATP. Respiration and fermentation are characteristic of all forms of life.
• Aerobic cellular respiration in eukaryotes involves a series of coordinated enzymecatalyzed reactions that capture energy from biological macromolecules.
• The ETC transfers electrons in a series of oxidation-reduction reactions that establish an electrochemical gradient across membranes.
  • i. In cellular respiration, electrons delivered by NADH and FADH2 are passed to a series of electron acceptors as they move t oward the terminal electron acceptor, oxygen. Aerobic prokaryotes use oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor, while anaerobic prokaryotes use other molecules.
  • Exclusion: The full names of the specific electron carriers in the electron transport chain are beyond the scope of the AP Exam. Specific steps, names of enzymes, and intermediates of the pathways for these processes are beyond the scope of this course and the AP Exam.