Cellular Respiration Overview

The first step in cellular respiration, breaking down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH.

When oxygen is absent, glycolysis is followed by fermentation, which regenerates NAD+ and allows glycolysis to continue producing a small amount of ATP.

A three-carbon molecule produced during glycolysis, crucial for further energy production through cellular respiration.

High-energy electron carrier used in glycolysis to transfer electrons, essential for ATP production.

Processes that occur in the presence of oxygen are called aerobic. Fermentation, on the other hand, does not require oxygen, making it anaerobic.

The process by which cells use oxygen to break down glucose and produce energy in the form of ATP.

The main organ involved in breathing, which expands and contracts to draw air into the lungs.

The primary function of the respiratory system is to deliver oxygen to the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide.

The process by which oxygen is taken from the environment and transported to cells.

The process by which food is broken down into smaller molecules that cells can use for energy.

The amount of energy released from food breakdown is directly proportional to the amount of oxygen used.

The process by which cells release energy from glucose using oxygen.

The process by which cells release energy from glucose without using oxygen.

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose (sugar) into ATP, the primary energy currency of cells, using oxygen.

During cellular respiration, glucose does not directly react with oxygen. Glucose is first broken down into pyruvate, a smaller molecule, before it can react with oxygen.

Cellular respiration is essentially the reverse of photosynthesis. Instead of using ATP, it creates it. Instead of using CO2, it produces it. And instead of using water, it produces water. Finally, it utilizes oxygen and glucose as reactants, whereas photosynthesis produces them as products.

C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + 36-38 ATP. The reactants are glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2), while the products are carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and ATP.

Glycolysis is the first step in cellular respiration and involves 'breaking down' glucose.

Glycolysis does not require oxygen to take place, making it an anaerobic process.

A molecule that stores and releases energy for cellular processes.

High-energy bonds used to store chemical energy in ATP.

The breakdown of ATP to release energy, involves breaking the last phosphate bond.

The enzyme that breaks down ATP to release energy.

The process of adding a phosphate group back to ADP to regenerate ATP.

The continuous cycle of ATP breakdown and regeneration, essential for cellular functions.

The final stage of cellular respiration, where energy carriers NADH and FADH2 donate high-energy electrons to a chain of molecules embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

A molecule that stores and transfers chemical energy within cells. It is often referred to as the cell's energy currency.

The process of utilizing the electrochemical gradient of hydrogen ions (protons) across a membrane to generate ATP. It links the electron transport chain to ATP synthesis.

Molecules like NADH and FADH2 that carry high-energy electrons and contribute to the electron transport chain.

The space between the inner and outer membranes of a mitochondrion, where hydrogen ions accumulate during the electron transport chain.

A protein complex embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane that uses the energy of the hydrogen ion gradient to synthesize ATP.

The movement of charged particles, such as hydrogen ions (protons), across a membrane, creating an electrochemical potential difference.

A three-carbon molecule produced from the breakdown of glucose during glycolysis. It is a key intermediate in cellular respiration, transitioning to the mitochondria for further energy production.

The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell and is the location where the majority of ATP is produced during cellular respiration.

Acetyl CoA is a vital molecule that enters the Krebs cycle, carrying two carbon atoms for energy production.

The ETC is a series of protein complexes embedded within the inner membrane of mitochondria, responsible for generating the majority of ATP during cellular respiration. Electrons are passed along the chain, releasing energy that is used to pump protons and create an electrochemical gradient for ATP synthesis.

Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in the Electron Transport Chain, accepting electrons from the ETC and combining with protons (H+) to form water.

The Krebs cycle takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria. It involves a series of chemical reactions that break down acetyl CoA to produce ATP and electron carriers (NADH and FADH2).

Fermentation is an anaerobic process that occurs in the absence of oxygen. It allows cells to continue producing small amounts of ATP by regenerating NAD+ needed in glycolysis. The two main types are lactic acid fermentation and alcoholic fermentation.

Lactic acid fermentation occurs in muscle cells during strenuous activity when oxygen is insufficient. The buildup of lactic acid causes muscle fatigue.