Cellular respiration involves .a. the aerobic metabolism of sugars in the mitochondria by a process called glycolysis;b. an electron transport chain that releases carbon dioxide;c. the synthesis of ATP, which is driven by the rushing of protons through an ATP synthase;d, electron carriers that bring electrons to the citric acid cycle;e. the production of water during the citric acid cycle

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the main components of cellular respiration: glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and electron transport chain.
2. Understand that glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and is anaerobic, not in the mitochondria.
3. Recognize that the electron transport chain is responsible for producing water, not releasing carbon dioxide.
4. Acknowledge that ATP synthesis is driven by protons moving through ATP synthase, which is part of the electron transport chain.
5. Note that electron carriers bring electrons to the electron transport chain, not the citric acid cycle.

Key Concepts

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is a biochemical process in which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. It primarily occurs in the mitochondria and involves several stages, including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Understanding this process is crucial for grasping how cells generate ATP, the energy currency of the cell.

Glycolysis

Glycolysis is the first step of cellular respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH. This anaerobic process sets the stage for further energy extraction in the mitochondria. Recognizing glycolysis is essential for understanding how glucose metabolism initiates cellular respiration.

Electron Transport Chain

The electron transport chain (ETC) is a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons derived from NADH and FADH2. This process creates a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis through ATP synthase. The ETC is vital for the efficient production of ATP and the overall energy yield of cellular respiration.