Unlocking the Powerhouse: Understanding the Three Stages of Cellular Respiration

energy metabolism (cellular respiration)

Oxygen is needed for _____ by some microbes.

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down nutrient molecules to produce ATP, which is the primary energy currency in living organisms. In most eukaryotic cells, cellular respiration is carried out in organelles called mitochondria.

The three stages of cellular respiration are glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation. In glycolysis, glucose is converted into two pyruvate molecules, with a net yield of two ATP molecules. The citric acid cycle then converts the pyruvate into CO2, generating more ATP in the process.

Finally, oxidative phosphorylation takes place in the mitochondrial inner membrane, where electrons from molecules such as NADH and FADH2 are transferred to an electron transport chain. The energy released during this process is used to pump protons across the mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient that powers ATP synthesis by ATP synthase. This process accounts for the majority of ATP production in cells, with a net yield of up to 34 ATP molecules.

Cellular respiration is vital for the survival and functioning of all living organisms, as it provides the energy necessary for cellular processes such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and the synthesis of biomolecules.

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