Explain the process of cellular respiration and... - SS1 Biology Cellular Respiration, Excretion And Growth Question

Cellular respiration is the metabolic process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It consists of three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation (which includes the electron transport chain). Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP. The pyruvate then enters the mitochondria, where the Krebs cycle takes place, generating more ATP and electron carriers (NADH and FADH2). These electron carriers donate electrons to the electron transport chain, located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The electron transport chain generates a large amount of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Overall, cellular respiration provides cells with the necessary energy (in the form of ATP) to carry out various cellular processes.