Question

Oxygen is used and carbon dioxide is produced in the mitochondria, the organelles that are responsible for cellular respiration.

1. Glycolysis.
2. Pyruvate oxidation.
3. Krebs Cycle.
4. Respiratory (electron transport) chain/chemiosmosis.

Answer 1

Cellular respiration in the mitochondria involves three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs Cycle, and the Electron Transport Chain, resulting in the production of ATP, water, and carbon dioxide as byproducts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is a vital process that takes place within cells, generating energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Oxygen is used to oxidize glucose during cellular respiration, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. The three main stages of cellular respiration are:

1. Glycolysis: A glucose molecule is broken down into two pyruvate molecules in the cytoplasm, yielding 2 ATP and 2 NADH.
2. Krebs Cycle: Pyruvate enters the mitochondria and is converted into acetyl CoA before entering the Krebs cycle, where it is fully oxidized, resulting in the production of NADH, FADH2, and ATP.
3. Electron Transport Chain (ETC) and Chemiosmosis: Electrons from NADH and FADH2 are transferred through the ETC located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. This generates a proton gradient that drives the synthesis of a much larger amount of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

The inner and outer membranes of the mitochondria are crucial for the efficient production of ATP during cellular respiration. Scientists often refer to mitochondria as the "powerhouses" or "energy factories" of the cell because of their role in making ATP. The main byproducts of cellular respiration are carbon dioxide and water.