MadSci Network: Biochemistry |
Cellular respiration is how cells make energy for life. It is an ATP- generating process in which an inorganic compound such as O2 serves as the ultimate electron acceptor. The electron donor can be either an organic compound or an inorganic one. It has 3 distinctive steps:
Under aerobic conditions (in the presence of oxygen), the next step in the generation of energy from glucose is the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to form acetyl coenzyme. This activated acetyl unit is then completely oxidized to CO2.
The citric acid cycle is the final common pathway for the oxidation of fuel molecules-amino acids, fatty acids and carbohydrates.
Oxidative phosphorylation is the process in which ATP is formed as a result of the transfer of electrons from NADH or FADH2 to O2 by a series of electron carriers.
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