Lecture
This lecture delves into the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation, exploring the tools used to monitor cell energy status. It covers the significance of ATP as the universal energy carrier in cells, the Nobel Prize-winning elucidation of ATP synthesis mechanisms, and the operation of ATP synthase in mitochondria. The lecture also discusses the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) as methods to assess cell energy status, along with the workflow of extracellular flux assays. Various inhibitors and metabolic modulators used in these assays are explained, shedding light on the glycolytic and oxidative pathways. In-class exercises and problems challenge students to apply their knowledge of cellular respiration and energy production.