Aerobic Cellular Respiration is the process in which cells can turn glucose and oxygen into energy for the organism. This occurs in the mitochondria and cytoplasm of the cell. Unlike photosynthesis, plants and animals go through this process. Cellular Respiration is almost the opposite because the reactants are the products of each other. The reaction can be represented with the equation: C6H12O6 + 6HO2 → 6H20 + 6CO2 + ATP. It happens in three separate parts.
The first part is called Glycolysis. This reaction takes place in the cytoplasm, the liquid that is in the cell. This reaction is to break apart glucose before it enters the cell. Glucose has six carbons, so this reaction splits glucose into two pyruvates which contain three carbons each. The other products formed are 2 NADH and 2 ATP. NADH is a hydrogen and electron carrier that will be significant later in this process. ATP is chemical energy that will power the cell.
The next part is called the Krebs Cycle, named after Hans Kreb, who discovered this process. It takes the pyruvates and breaks them down further. It takes place in the mitochondria. After breaking down the two pyruvates, the products are 2 ATP, 2 FADH2, 8 NADH, and 6 CO2. FADH2 is similar to NADH because they are electron and hydrogen carriers used in the last step. The carbon dioxide forms as a waste product. This exits the body when organisms, like humans, breathe out.
The last part is called the Electron Transport Chain. As mentioned prior, this is where the FADH2. NADH and oxygen come into play. This chain is very similar to the one found in the Light Independent Reactions of photosynthesis. This process takes place in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. The FADH2 and NADH come to this reaction and are oxidized, or lose their electrons, and give up H+ ions. The electrons move through a chain of proteins. They are energized and excited, and with this, they pump H+ ions out of the mitochondria. The electrons go through the chain, and their final stop is with oxygen. The H+ ions pumped out of cells are all stuck outside of the inner membrane of the mitochondria. They want to go back and only have one path called ATP Synthase. This is a protein that creates ATP but needs energy. As the H+ ions pass through ATP Synthase, ATP is created. The final destination of the H+ ions is oxygen and electrons. Together, they make H2O. Overall, the entire process of Aerobic Cellular Respiration forms 32 ATP and 6 H2O molecules per one glucose molecule.
In summary, Aerobic Cellular Respiration is an intricate and salient reaction. Humans would not be able to survive without creating ATP. I think it is an intriguing process. I appreciate the human body more after understanding the power it holds.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Biology/celres.html
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