Cellular Respiration: From Food to Cellular Power

Vocabulary based on lecture notes covering the chemical components, stages, and structures involved in cellular respiration.

Cellular Respiration

The process of converting food into cellular power, characterized by the chemical equation where glucose and oxygen produce energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$)

The nutrient that serves as the degraded fuel in the chemical equation for respiration.

Oxygen ($6O_2$)

A reactant in cellular respiration associated with breathing.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell and the physical engine of energy production where energy-intensive steps occur.

Carbon dioxide ($6CO_2$)

A waste product produced during the process of cellular respiration.

Water ($6H_2O$)

A waste product generated during the chemical reaction of respiration.

ATP

Useful energy produced by respiration, typically resulting in a total of $30-32$ ATP.

Double membrane structure

The physical engine of energy production found in the mitochondria.

Mitochondrial matrix

The specific internal location within the mitochondria where the Krebs cycle occurs.

Glycolysis

The first stage of respiration that occurs in the cytoplasm and results in pyruvate and $2$ ATP.

Krebs cycle

The second stage of respiration that takes place in the mitochondrial matrix.

Electron transport chain

The third stage of respiration that occurs in the inner membrane, where electrons decide where the ATP goes.

Inner membrane

The location within the mitochondria where the electron transport chain is situated.