Cellular Respiration and ATP Production

ATP

Energy currency of the cell, formed from ADP by the addition of a phosphate using energy.

Cellular respiration

Process by which mitochondria break down food molecules to produce ATP.

Matrix

Area enclosed by the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Anaerobic

No oxygen required.

Aerobic

Requires oxygen.

NAD+

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, an electron carrier molecule.

FAD

Flavin adenine dinucleotide, an electron carrier molecule.

Glycolysis

Anaerobic process that occurs in the cytoplasm, splitting glucose into 2 three-carbon molecules.

Krebs Cycle

Aerobic process occurring in the matrix of the mitochondrion, producing ATP and electron carriers.

Electron Transport Chain

Aerobic process occurring in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion, where ATP is generated.

Pyruvate

Product of glycolysis that enters the mitochondria for aerobic respiration.

Acetyl-CoA

Formed from pyruvate before entering the Krebs Cycle.

Transition Reaction/Bridge Reaction

Conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA in the mitochondria.

Krebs Cycle Products

Produces 2 CO2, 1 ATP, 3 NADH, and 1 FADH2 per acetyl-CoA.

Electron Transport Chain Function

Uses energized electrons to form ATP from ADP, generating ~34 ATP per glucose molecule.

Final electron acceptor

Oxygen, which accepts energized electrons at the end of the ETC.

Overall equation of cellular respiration

C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O (+ ATP).

ATP generation from glucose

Up to 38 ATP can be generated from one glucose molecule.

ATP from glycolysis

2 ATP produced from glycolysis.

ATP from Krebs Cycle

2 ATP produced from the Krebs Cycle.

ATP from Electron Transport Chain

~34 ATP generated from the Electron Transport Chain.