Cellular respiration (stages and explanation)

In depth flashcard for anyone who wants to review the three major steps found in cellular respiration

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration occurring in the cytoplasm, converting glucose into pyruvate and producing ATP and NADH.

Krebs Cycle

Also known as the Citric Acid Cycle, it occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and processes Acetyl-CoA to produce CO2, ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of proteins in the inner mitochondrial membrane that use electrons from NADH and FADH2 to create a proton gradient for ATP synthesis.

Total ATP Production

The total ATP yield from one glucose molecule ranges from 30 to 38 ATP, depending on the efficiency of the ETC.

Glycolysis Steps

The three main steps of glycolysis are glucose activation, cleavage, and energy harvesting.

Glucose Activation

The initial step in glycolysis where glucose is phosphorylated, consuming 2 ATP.

Cleavage

The process in glycolysis where the 6-carbon glucose splits into two 3-carbon molecules (G3P).

Energy Harvesting

The final step in glycolysis where G3P is converted to pyruvate, yielding a net gain of 2 ATP and 2 NADH.

Prep Step

Also known as pyruvate oxidation, it occurs after glycolysis and before the citric acid cycle, converting pyruvate to Acetyl-CoA.

Pyruvate Transport

The movement of pyruvate into the mitochondria for further processing.

Decarboxylation

The process where each pyruvate loses a carbon atom, releasing it as CO₂ during the prep step.

NAD⁺ Reduction

The conversion of NAD⁺ to NADH during the prep step as the 2-carbon molecule is oxidized.

Acetyl-CoA

The product formed from the combination of a 2-carbon molecule and Coenzyme A, which enters the Krebs cycle.

Citric Acid Cycle Steps

The series of reactions in the Krebs cycle that convert Acetyl-CoA into various intermediates while producing energy carriers.

Acetyl-CoA Formation

The initial step in the citric acid cycle where Acetyl-CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citrate.

Citrate Rearrangement

The conversion of citrate to isocitrate in the citric acid cycle.

NADH Production

The reduction of NAD+ to NADH during the oxidation of isocitrate and α-ketoglutarate in the citric acid cycle.

ATP Generation

The production of ATP (or GTP) during the conversion of Succinyl-CoA to succinate in the citric acid cycle.

Biosynthetic Pathways

The various metabolic pathways that utilize intermediates produced in the citric acid cycle for the synthesis of biomolecules.