Cellular Respiration Flashcards

Glycolysis

• Glycolysis is the initial process in cellular respiration that breaks down glucose.
• Requires 2 ATP and generates 4 ATP, resulting in a net gain of 2 ATP.
• Produces 2 NADH and 2 pyruvate molecules as end products.

Cellular Respiration Types

• Aerobic respiration occurs in the presence of oxygen, utilizing all three stages of cellular respiration.
• Anaerobic respiration takes place in the absence of oxygen and has different end products and energy yields.

Stages of Cellular Respiration

• The three main stages are glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, and electron transport chain (ETC).
• The Krebs Cycle, also known as the Citric Acid Cycle, is the second stage.

Mitochondrial Processes

• The electron transport chains are located in the inner membrane of mitochondria.
• The final electron acceptor in the ETC is oxygen, leading to the formation of water.

Energy Production

• The overall equation for cellular respiration: C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy.
• A single glucose molecule can yield up to 38 ATP in the presence of oxygen.

ATP Synthesis

• ATP Synthase is both a channel protein and an enzyme responsible for ATP production during the final stages.
• The chemiosmotic gradient is essential for ATP synthesis, created by pumping hydrogen ions across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Energy-Carrying Compounds

• During the Krebs Cycle, energy is captured in the form of ATP, NADH, and FADH2.
• FADH2 is produced specifically in the Krebs Cycle, serving as a shuttle for electrons in the ETC.

Pyruvate and Acetyl-CoA

• Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis and is converted into Acetyl-CoA before entering the Krebs Cycle.
• Acetyl-CoA is the primary molecule that enters the Krebs Cycle for further energy extraction.

Cristae Structure

• Cristae are the folds within the inner mitochondrial membrane, increasing surface area for ATP production.

Summary of Cellular Respiration

• The entire process can be summarized in three stages: glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, and electron transport.
• Most ATP production occurs during the electron transport chain, specifically in stage III of aerobic respiration.