Which of the following are the main stages of cellular respiration?

• A. Glycolysis, Calvin cycle, and Fermentation
• B. Photosynthesis, Glycolysis, and Fermentation
• C. Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and Electron Transport Chain
• D. Calvin cycle, Krebs cycle, and Electron Transport Chain

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that cellular respiration is a process that cells use to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products.
2. Identify the main stages of cellular respiration: Glycolysis, Krebs cycle (also known as the Citric Acid Cycle), and the Electron Transport Chain.
3. Recognize that Glycolysis is the first stage, occurring in the cytoplasm, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH.
4. Know that the Krebs cycle takes place in the mitochondria, where pyruvate is further broken down, releasing carbon dioxide and transferring energy to carrier molecules like NADH and FADH2.
5. Understand that the Electron Transport Chain is the final stage, located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where the energy from NADH and FADH2 is used to produce a large amount of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.