Question

List the four stages of catabolism and briefly explain the significance of each.

Answer 1

The four stages of catabolism are glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. These stages are significant for ATP generation and the production of reducing coenzymes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The four stages of catabolism are:

1. Glycolysis: This is the initial breakdown of glucose into pyruvate in the cytoplasm, producing a small amount of ATP.
2. Pyruvate oxidation: Pyruvate is transported into the mitochondria and converted to Acetyl-CoA, generating some ATP and reducing coenzymes.
3. The citric acid cycle: Acetyl-CoA enters this cycle and is further broken down, producing ATP, CO2, and reducing coenzymes.
4. Oxidative phosphorylation: The reducing coenzymes generated in the previous stages are utilized in the electron transport chain to generate a large amount of ATP.

Each stage has significance in generating ATP and producing reducing coenzymes that carry electrons to the final stage, where ATP is synthesized.