CELLULAR RESPIRATION NOTES

Cellular Respiration: the process by which mitochondria break down food

molecules to produce ATP
- Equation for cellular respiration: C6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6H2O
- There are THREE stages of cellular respiration: glycolysis, the citric
acid cycle, and the electron transport chain
1.) Glycolysis: Stage is anaerobic, meaning no oxygen is required
a. Takes place in the cytoplasm
b. A series of chemical reactions that break down glucose,
a six-carbon compound, into two molecules of pyruvic
acid, a three-carbon compound.
c. Two ATP molecules are needed to start glycolysis, four
molecules produced; therefore, the net profit of ATP is
only two (not very efficient for energy needs)
d. Pyruvic Acid then moves into the mitochondria.
e. Before the citric acid cycle can begin, pyruvic acid
undergoes a series of reactions in which it loses a
molecule of CO2 and combines with coenzyme A to form
acetyl-CoA. The reaction with coenzyme A produces a
molecule of NADH and H+.
2.) Citric Acid Cycle: Stage is aerobic, meaning oxygen is required
a. Takes a molecule of acetyl-CoA and breaks it down,
forming ATP and CO2
b. The electron carries NAD+ and FAD pick up energized
electrons and pass them to the electron transport chain in
the inner mitochondrial membrane
c. One ATP is produced for every turn of the cycle
3.) Electron Transport Chain: Stage is aerobic, meaning oxygen is
requires
a. NADH and FADH2 pass energized electrons from protein
to protein
b. Some of the energy produced during this process is used
to form ATP; some is used to pump H+ ions into the
center of the mitochondrion.
c. The final electron acceptor in the chain is oxygen- this
bonds with 4 hydrogen ions (4H+) to form two molecules
of water.
d. This is why oxygen is so important- without oxygen the
electron transport chain stops.
e. Overall, the electron transport chain produces 32 ATP
molecules.
Fermentation: occurs after glycolysis when your cells are without oxygen for a
short period of time. Fermentation provides a means to continue producing ATP
until oxygen is available again.
- There are two types of Fermentation:
1.) Lactic Acid Fermentation- 2 molecules of pyruvic acid use NADH to
form two molecules of lactic acid.
a. This releases NAD+ to be used in glycolysis, allowing 2 ATP
molecules to be formed for each glucose molecule.
b. Lactic acid is transferred from muscle cells, where it is
produced during strenuous exercise, to the liver that
converts it back to pyruvic acid
c. Lactic acid buildup in muscles = muscle fatigue
2.) Alcoholic Fermentation- used by yeast cells to produce CO2 and
ethyl alcohol.
a. When making bread, yeast cells produce CO2 that forms
bubbles in the dough.
b. The heat of baking kills the yeast and leaves behind bubble
pockets.

Comparing Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration:

PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESPIRATION
food accumulated food broken down
Energy from sun stored in glucose Energy of glucose released
Carbon dioxide taken in Carbon dioxide given off
Oxygen given off Oxygen taken in
Produces glucose Produces CO2 and H2O
Goes on only in light Goes on day and night
Occurs only in presence of chlorophyll Occurs in all living cells