Cellular Respiration Interactive 10/31

Four Phases of Cellular Respiration

1. Glycolysis

   • Breaks down glucose

   • Invests 2 ATP

   • Produces:

     • 2 pyruvates

     • 2 NADH

     • 2 ATP

   • NADH carries electrons

   • Occurs in the cytoplasm

2. Link Reaction

   • Connects glycolysis with Krebs Cycle

   • Pyruvate moves into mitochondria

   • Reactants: 2 pyruvates and 2 NAD⁺

   • Produces:

     • 2 Acetyl-CoA

     • 2 CO₂

     • 2 NADH

3. Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)

   • Products: ATP, CO₂, NADH, and FADH₂

   • NADH and FADH₂ carry electrons to the electron transport chain (ETC)

   • Oxaloacetate is the starting and final compound

4. Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

   • Series of proteins embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane

   • Main site of ATP production

   • Requires oxygen (which is why you breathe)

   • Energy from electrons pumps H⁺ ions into the intermembrane space

   • ATP synthase controls the flow of H⁺ from high to low concentration (passively)

   • The flow of H⁺ produces ATP from ADP

Cellular Respiration Overview 10/16