- Cellular respiration is a series

of metabolic reactions that

take place within the cells of
organisms to convert
biochemical energy from
nutrients into adenosine
triphosphate (ATP),
which is used to power various
cellular processes.
- The process of cellular
respiration can be broken
down into three main stages:
glycolysis, the
citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle),
and the electron transport
chain.
- Glycolysis occurs in the
cytoplasm and involves
breaking down glucose into
two molecules of
pyruvate, producing a small
amount of ATP and NADH in
the process.
- Pyruvate then enters the
mitochondria where it
undergoes further breakdown
in the citric acid
cycle, generating more ATP,
NADH, and FADH2.
- The final stage of cellular
respiration is the electron
transport chain, which takes
place in the
inner mitochondrial
membrane. Here, NADH and
FADH2 donate electrons to a
series of protein
complexes, generating a
proton gradient that drives the
production of ATP through
oxidative
phosphorylation.
- Overall, cellular respiration
is a highly efficient process
that provides cells with the
energy they
need to carry out essential
functions such as growth,
repair, and maintenance.
- In addition to ATP, cellular
respiration also produces
carbon dioxide and water as
byproducts,
which are then released from
the cell as waste.
- Cells can adjust their rate of
respiration based on energy
demands, with factors such as
oxygen
availability, nutrient
availability, and metabolic
state influencing the overall
process.
—
- Cellular respiration is a
process by which cells convert
glucose and oxygen into ATP
(adenosine triphosphate), the
main source of energy used by
cells.
- The process of cellular
respiration occurs in the
mitochondria of eukaryotic
cells.
- There are three main stages
of cellular respiration:
glycolysis, the citric acid cycle
(Krebs
cycle), and oxidative
phosphorylation (electron
transport chain).
- During glycolysis, glucose is
broken down into two
molecules of pyruvate,
producing a small
amount of ATP and NADH.
- The citric acid cycle further
breaks down pyruvate into
carbon dioxide and generates
more
ATP, NADH, and FADH2.
- The final stage, oxidative
phosphorylation, occurs in the
inner mitochondrial membrane
where
electrons from NADH and
FADH2 are used to create a
proton gradient that drives
ATP
production.
- In total, cellular respiration
produces up to 38 molecules
of ATP from one molecule of
glucose.
- Oxygen plays a crucial role
in cellular respiration as the
final electron acceptor in the
electron
transport chain.
- Without oxygen, cells cannot
efficiently carry out oxidative
phosphorylation, leading to a
buildup of lactic acid in
anaerobic conditions.
- Cellular respiration is
essential for providing energy
for various cellular functions
such as
muscle contraction, cell
division, and active transport
processes.