Cellular Respiration Stages (PDF)

# Stages of Cellular Respiration The image depicts the four main stages of cellular respiration. ## 1. Glycolysis 1. **Inputs:** Glucose 2. **Outputs:** 2 pyruvate, ATP, NADH - Occurs in the cytosol - Glucose is broken down into two pyruvate molecules, producing ATP and NADH - This process does no...

# Stages of Cellular Respiration The image depicts the four main stages of cellular respiration. ## 1. Glycolysis 1. **Inputs:** Glucose 2. **Outputs:** 2 pyruvate, ATP, NADH - Occurs in the cytosol - Glucose is broken down into two pyruvate molecules, producing ATP and NADH - This process does not require oxygen ## 2. Pyruvate Oxidation 1. **Input:** 2 pyruvate 2. **Outputs:** Acetyl CoA, NADH, CO₂ - Occurs in the mitochondrial matrix - Each pyruvate molecule is oxidized to form acetyl CoA, producing NADH and CO₂ ## 3. Citric Acid Cycle 1. **Input:** Acetyl CoA 2. **Outputs:** ATP, NADH, FADH₂, CO₂ - Occurs in the mitochondrial matrix - Acetyl CoA is further broken down, producing ATP, NADH, FADH₂, and CO₂ ## 4. Oxidative Phosphorylation 1. **Inputs:** NADH, FADH₂, O₂ 2. **Outputs:** ATP, H₂O - Occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane - NADH and FADH₂ are used to generate a proton gradient across the membrane, which drives ATP synthesis - This process consumes O₂ and produces H₂O <br/> <br/> The image also highlights the movement of molecules between the different stages: - Pyruvate moves from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix - Acetyl CoA enters the citric acid cycle - The electron carriers NADH and FADH₂ are used in oxidative phosphorylation to drive ATP production. This process of cellular respiration is essential for the production of energy in the form of ATP, which is used by cells to perform various functions.