Final answer:
Cellular respiration includes three main stages: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chain. Glycolysis breaks down glucose into pyruvate, releasing a small amount of energy. The Krebs cycle and electron transport chain occur in the mitochondria, producing carbon dioxide, water, and a large amount of ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stages of Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration is a complex process where cells convert nutrients into energy in the form of ATP. This process can be divided into several stages, namely glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (or citric acid cycle), and the electron transport chain. Below we will add labels to the different parts of each stage mentioned in the original question.
Stage 1: Glycolysis
- Glucose is the starting molecule that is broken down during glycolysis.
- Two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules are the product of glycolysis.
- A small amount of energy is produced in the form of ATP (net gain of 2 ATP).
Stage 2: Krebs Cycle
- The pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria and get transformed into a 2-carbon molecule attached to Coenzyme A, forming Acetyl CoA.
- Carbon dioxide is released as a waste product.
Stage 3: Electron Transport Chain
- A large amount of energy is produced here, which is used to form ATP.
- Water is produced as a byproduct when electrons meet oxygen.
- Oxygen is necessary for this stage as it acts as the final electron acceptor.
Thus, each stage of cellular respiration contributes to the transformation of glucose into energy, carbon dioxide, and water with the help of oxygen.