Cellular respiration (pyruvate -> citric acid cycle -> electron transport chain)

What is cellular respiration?

oxidising (removing electrons) biological fuels to make ATP, requires oxygen

First step of cellular respiration (substrate, enzyme, product)

Pyruvate to acetyl-CoA
- pyruvate dehydrogenase catalyses reaction between pyruvate and coenzyme A to yield carbon dioxide and acetyl-CoA

second step of cellular respiration

Citric acid (TCA) cycle- for each acetyl-CoA, generates 3NADH, 1 FADH2, and 1 GTP

Where in the cell does the citric acid cycle occur?

the mitochondrial matrix (eukaryotic cells)

third step of cellular respiration

electron transfer chain- A series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane that pass electrons along to create a proton gradient which drives ATP synthesis

Yield of pyruvate oxidation (pyruvate → acetyl CoA)

1 NADH per pyruvate, so 2 NADH per glucose

Yield of citric acid cycle

per 1 acetyl CoA- 3NADH, 1 FADH2, 1 ATP, 2 CO2
(doubled for per 1 glucose)

What is beta oxidation?

when glucose is low- fatty acids being broken down to generate acetyl CoA to enter the citric acid cycle and feed the electron transfer chain, eventually being used to generate ATP

Where in the cell does the electron transfer chain take place?

the inner mitochondrial membrane