Respiration Key Terms

glucose conversion

The process by which glucose is transformed into starch, glycogen, or cellulose during metabolism.

metabolic pathways

The series of chemical reactions in cells that convert glucose into storage forms like starch and glycogen or structural components like cellulose.

lipid molecules

Molecules formed from glycerol and three fatty acid molecules, essential for storing energy and forming cell membranes.

glycerol

A three-carbon molecule that serves as the backbone for lipid molecules, combining with fatty acids to form triglycerides.

glucose

A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and a key component in the synthesis of amino acids.

nitrate ions

Inorganic ions that are absorbed by plants and used in the synthesis of amino acids, which are essential for protein formation.

metabolic reaction

A chemical process that occurs within a living organism to maintain life, including the conversion of substances and energy transfer.

respiration

The biochemical process in which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water, essential for metabolic activities.

proteins

Large molecules made up of amino acids that are essential for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.

urea

A waste product formed in the liver from the breakdown of excess proteins, which is excreted from the body through urine.