Final answer:
The 11 steps of the aerobic pathway include glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, the electron transport chain, ATP synthesis, and chemiosmosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
11 Steps of the Aerobic Pathway:
- Glycolysis: Glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate
- Pyruvate Oxidation: Each pyruvate is converted into Acetyl CoA
- Citric Acid Cycle: Acetyl CoA enters a cycle of reactions to produce energy
- Oxidative Phosphorylation: The energy produced in previous steps is used to generate ATP
The remaining steps involve the Electron Transport Chain:
- Electron Transport Chain: Electrons from NADH and FADH2 are passed along a series of protein complexes
- Complex I: Electrons enter the chain and transfer energy
- Complex II: Further energy transfer occurs
- Complex III: Electrons are transported
- Complex IV: Electrons combine with molecular oxygen to produce water
The final steps are:
- ATP Synthesis: ATP is synthesized using ATP synthase and the energy from the electron transport chain
- Chemiosmosis: A chemiosmotic gradient is created across a membrane, which drives ATP synthesis