Cellular

Respiration

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CELLULAR RESPIRATION
Cellular respiration is the set of the
metabolic reactions and processes
that take place in the cells of EQUATION:
organisms to convert biochemical
energy from nutrients into C6H12O6 + 6O2 -->6 CO2 + 6H2O + 36 ATP

adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and

then release waste products.
 Comparing Aerobic Respiration &
Photosynthesis
The overall equation for photosynthesis was:
6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy C6H12O6 + 6O2
The overall equation for cellular respiration is:

C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy

As you can see, the inputs of photosynthesis are
the outputs of respiration and visa versa
Therefore, scientists say that photosynthesis is the

opposite of cellular respiration Gnature with Gnat 2015

THE PROCESS OF CELLULAR RESPIRATION
There are three stages

1. Glycolysis

2. Kreb's Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)

3. Electron Transport Chain

 GLYCOLYSIS
Cellular respiration always begins with the process
of glycolysis.
In glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvic
acid, hydrogen ions, and electrons.
2 molecules of ATP are used for this process, but 4
are made, so we say the net product (or profit) of
glycolysis is 2 ATP.

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 GLYCOLYSIS
can occur with or
without oxygen

Occurs in the CYTOPLASM

GLYCOLYSIS = "glyco - lysis " is the splitting of a 6 carbon glucose
into two pyruvates, each having 3 carbons
net yield of 2 ATP per glucose molecule
net yield of 2 NADH per glucose molecule
 KREBS CYCLE (CITRIC ACID
CYCLE)
If oxygen is available to the cell, glycolysis
will be followed by the Citric Acid Cycle (or
Krebs Cycle).
In the CAC, the pyruvic acid will produce
acetyl CoA, CO2, hydrogen ions, ATP, and
electrons.
The CO2 leaves the cell and the ions and
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 2. Citric Acid or Krebs Cycle

It is not necessary
to know the
individual steps

a) occurs in the matrix of the mitochondria

b) an aerobic process; will proceed only in the presence of O2

net yield of
2 ATP
8 NADH
2 FADH2

sent to ETC

(this is why we exhale CO2)

 Electron Transport Chain
The electron transport chain simply bounces
the hydrogen ions and electrons through a
series of molecules, giving off ATP at the end
of the process.
This process creates most of the ATP from
respiration: 34 ATP.
With glycolysis and the ETC combined, 36
ATP are created from 1 glucose molecule.
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Electron Transport Chain

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**Occurs in the membrane of the mitochondria**
c) net yield of 32 or 34 ATP per glucose molecule
d) 6 H2O are formed when the electrons unite with O2* at the end of
electron transport chain.

* Note: This is the function of oxygen in living organisms!

Without oxygen to serve as the final electron acceptor, the process

shuts down.
 Anaerobic Respiration/ Fermentation
If oxygen is not available, anaerobic respiration will
follow glycolysis.
Anaerobic respiration is also known as fermentation.
Depending on the type of organism, one of two types
of fermentation will occur:
Alcoholic fermentation- produces alcohol and occurs in some
bacteria and yeast.
This is how beer and bread is made.
Lactic Acid fermentation- produces lactic acid and occurs in
some bacteria and sometimes in animal cells.
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Alcoholic Fermentation

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 When your cells dont receive enough oxygen
(for example, when you are out of shape and
working out), your cells will switch from aerobic
respiration to lactic acid fermentation. The lactic
acid build-up in your muscles is what makes you
feel sore.
Fermentation is a much less efficient
process and only produces the 2 ATP from
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