CELLULAR RESPIRATION

Cellular Respiration, process in which cells produce the energy they need to survive. In cellular
respiration, cells use oxygen to break down the sugar glucose and store its energy in molecules
of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Cellular respiration is critical for the survival of most
organisms because the energy in glucose cannot be used by cells until it is stored in ATP. Cells
use ATP to power virtually all of their activitiesto grow, divide, replace worn out cell parts,
and execute many other tasks.

GLYCOLYSIS

Glucose is the primary fuel used in glycolysis, the first stage of cellular respiration. This all-
important molecule is found in the cells cytoplasm, the gel-like substance that fills the cell.
Glucose consists of 6 carbon, 12 hydrogen, and 6 oxygen atoms bonded together, along with
electrons (negatively charged atomic particles) associated with each atom. Of these components,
only the hydrogen atoms and certain electrons participate directly in glycolysis.

KREBS CYCLE

During the Krebs cycle, the acetyl coenzyme A molecules are processed. As this complex
pathway progresses, six molecules of NADH are formed. Additional carbon dioxide is created,
and this process releases energy that is used to build two molecules of ATP from a pool of ADP
and phosphate groups in the mitochondria. Hydrogens and electrons then are transferred to a
molecule of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD++)to form FADH2, a molecule like NADH that
temporarily stores hydrogen and electrons for later use. By the end of the Krebs cycle, most of
the usable energy from the original glucose molecule has been transferred to ten molecules of
NADH (two from glycolysis, two from the transition stage, and six from the Krebs cycle); two
molecules of FADH2; and four molecules of ATP, two of which were formed in glycolysis.

ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN

The reactions of the electron transport chain occur in several closely spaced molecules embedded
in the mitochondrial membrane. Acting like specialized delivery trucks, the NADH and FADH2
molecules dump off their load of electrons and hydrogen ions near these electron transport chain
molecules. The first molecule in the chain has an attraction for electrons and grabs them, but the
molecule next to it in the chain has an even stronger attraction and grabs the electrons away from
the first molecule. The electrons are passed down the chain in this manner, until they reach
oxygen, the final molecule in the chain. Oxygen has a stronger appetite for electrons than any
molecule in the chain, and the electrons therefore are held by oxygen. They are joined by the
hydrogen ions that were dropped off by NADH and FADH2 at the beginning of the electron
transport chain. The combination of the electrons, hydrogen ions, and oxygen forms water, used
by the cell in other biochemical reactions. As NADH and FADH2 release hydrogen and electrons
in the electron transport chain, they are converted back to NAD+ and FAD++, respectively,
providing the cell with a steady supply of these molecules so that cellular respiration can be
carried out over and over again.
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), molecule found in all living organisms that is the main
immediate source of usable energy for the activities of the cells. ATP is built up by the
metabolism of foodstuffs in the cell in special compartments called mitochondria.

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