
What are the main steps in aerobic respiration? Where does it take place?
What are the main steps in aerobic respiration? Where does it take place?
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aerobic respiration takes place in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of eukaryotic cells
glycolysis
occurs in the cytosol of the cell
breaks one glucose (6-carbon) into two pyruvate molecules (3-carbon each)
net yield of 2 ATP and 2 NADH per glucose
pyruvate oxidation (link reaction)
takes place in the mitochondrial matrix after pyruvate is transported from the cytosol
pyruvate is decarboxylated and combined with coenzyme A to form acetyl-CoA, releasing CO₂
generates 1 NADH per pyruvate (2 NADH per original glucose)
citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle)
occurs in the mitochondrial matrix
acetyl-CoA (2-carbon) enters the cycle and is oxidized to 2 CO₂ molecules
produces per acetyl-CoA: 3 NADH, 1 FADH₂, 1 GTP (convertible to ATP)
oxidative phosphorylation
located on the inner mitochondrial membrane (cristae)
electron transport chain transfers electrons from NADH and FADH₂ to molecular oxygen, forming water
proton gradient established across the inner membrane drives ATP synthase to produce ~34 ATP per glucose
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