Final answer:
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose into ATP through three stages: Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and Oxidative phosphorylation. Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm, while the Krebs cycle and Oxidative phosphorylation occur in the mitochondria, with the latter involving the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cellular respiration is a crucial biological process that occurs in the cells of all living organisms, with the purpose of producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell. This process involves three main stages after glucose enters a cell: Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (also called the citric acid cycle), and Oxidative phosphorylation. The correct answer to the student question is C) Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, Oxidative phosphorylation.
Stages of Cellular Respiration
- Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a net gain of two ATP and NADH.
- Pyruvate is transformed into Acetyl CoA during an intermediate stage before entering the Krebs cycle, where it undergoes a series of reactions in the mitochondrial matrix, leading to the release of carbon dioxide and transfer of electrons to carriers like NADH and FADH2.
- In the final stage, Oxidative phosphorylation occurs at the inner mitochondrial membrane where an electron transport chain and the presence of oxygen drive the synthesis of a large amount of ATP.
The inner and outer membranes of the mitochondrion play significant roles in aerobic respiration, particularly during the electron transport stage, by establishing the required gradients for ATP synthesis.