Question

15. Respiration is a three-step process that breaks down glucose and produces ATP. Describe each of the three steps.

Answer 1

Cellular respiration is a crucial three-step process that includes glycolysis, the Krebs Cycle, and the Electron Transport Chain, transforming glucose into ATP.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cellular Respiration Explained

Cellular respiration is a vital biological process that cells use to convert glucose into ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell. This three-step process includes the following stages:

1. Glycolysis - This first step occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell and transforms one molecule of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate. This process yields 2 ATP molecules and 2 NADH molecules.
2. Krebs Cycle - Also known as the citric acid cycle, it occurs in the mitochondria. Pyruvate is further broken down, and in the process, more NADH and FADH2 are produced, and ATP is generated.
3. Electron Transport Chain - The final stage of cellular respiration happens in the inner mitochondrial membrane and uses the NADH and FADH2 formed in the previous steps to create a H+ gradient that powers the production of ATP. Oxygen is critical in this stage as it acts as the final electron acceptor to form water.

Throughout these stages, glucose is fully oxidized into carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy that is primarily captured in the form of ATP. This energy transfer is essential for powering various cellular processes.