How it works
This cellular respiration graphic organizer follows glucose through the cell one stage at a time. Much of what comes out of one stage goes into the next, which is why the boxes are joined by arrows.
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Follow the carriers
Little ATP is made directly in the first two stages. They load NADH and FADH2, and the energy those carry is used at the electron transport chain, where most of the ATP is made. A student who writes the carriers in an out box will meet them again in the last in box.
- Fermentation is anaerobic, but it is not anaerobic respiration: it passes its electrons to no outside acceptor.
- Krebs cycle, citric acid cycle and TCA cycle are three names for the same stage.
Questions and answers
What are the three stages of cellular respiration?
Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain, which with ATP synthase makes up oxidative phosphorylation. The four-step sheet adds pyruvate oxidation, which turns pyruvate into acetyl-CoA before the Krebs cycle.
What is the equation for cellular respiration?
Glucose plus oxygen gives carbon dioxide, water and energy. In symbols: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + energy. The energy is used to make ATP.
Where does cellular respiration take place?
Glycolysis takes place in the cytosol. In cells with a nucleus, the Krebs cycle runs in the matrix of the mitochondria and the electron transport chain sits on their inner membrane. Bacteria have no mitochondria and run the Krebs cycle in the cytosol.
What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
Both use an electron transport chain. In aerobic respiration the last acceptor is oxygen. In anaerobic respiration, which some bacteria and archaea use, it is another substance, such as sulfate or nitrate.