Aerobic System

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 Key words
Metabolism: is the chemical reactions in the body's cells that change food into
energy. Our bodies need this energy to do everything from moving to thinking to
growing. Specific proteins in the body control the chemical reactions of metabolism.
Respiration: The process by which energy is released from food by all living cells.
Glycolysis: the breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid.
 What is the Aerobic System
Aerobic System of energy production needs oxygen to
function and takes place in the mitochondria of respiring cells.
It always produces carbon dioxide, water and about 38 ATP
molecules per molecule of glucose.

glucose + oxygen ———> carbon dioxide + water

 The 3 Stages of the Aerobic System
1st Stage Glycolysis
This process is similar to anaerobic glycloysis but occurs in the presence of oxygen. Lactic acid is not
produced, and the pyruvic acid is converted into a compound called acetyl-coenzyme-A ( acetyl CoA)

Glycolyis Pyruvic Acid

Glycogen 2 ATP

Acetoyl Co-A moves to the mitochondria within the muscle cell where the remaining stages
are activated.
The 3 Stages of the Aerobic System
2nd Stage Kreb / Citric Acid Cycle
Fatty acids (from fats) and amino acids (from proteins) are converted to acetyl
coenzyme A through a series of complex chemical reactions.
The reactions produces two molecules of ATP as well as carbon dioxide.
Acetyl-Co A

Hydrogen
2ATP Yielded
Carbon Dioxide

Citric Acid
The 3 Stages of the Aerobic System
The 3 stages Electron Transport hain (etc)
The electron transport chain is a cluster of proteins that transfer electrons through a membrane within
mitochondria to form a gradient of protons that drives the creation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP
is used by the cell as the energy for metabolic processes for cellular functions.
 Aerobic System and Free
Fatty Acids
Fats can be used as a energy source in the aerobic system.
The Kerbs cycle and the electron transport chain can metabolize fat as well as
carbohydrate to produce ATP.
Also known as the citric acid cycle, the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle is a chain of reactions
occurring in the mitochondria, through which almost all living cells produce energy in
aerobic respiration. It uses oxygen and gives out water and carbon dioxide as products.
Here, ADP is converted into ATP.
The ETC is a collection of proteins bound to the inner mitochondrial membrane and
organic molecules, which electrons pass through in a series of redox reactions, and
release energy. The energy released forms a proton gradient, which is used to make a
large amount of ATP by the protein ATP-synthase.
 Aerobic System and Free
Fatty Acids
Stored fat in the muscles (Triglycerides) are metabolized aerobically (with oxygen)
by the enzyme lipase to form Glycerol and Free Fatty Acids.

The Glycerol and Free Fatty Acids undergo a process known as Beta Oxidation to
form Acetyl Coenzyme A which begins the action of the Kerbs cycle.

More ATP can be made from one molecule of fatty acids than one molecule of
glycogen but the intensity of the action begin performed must be low. This is why
in long duration exercise, fatty acid will be the predominant energy source.
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