Aerobic respiration

Definition

Aerobic respiration is a metabolic process in which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. It occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Aerobic respiration consists of three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
2. The process yields approximately 36-38 ATP molecules per molecule of glucose.
3. Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain.
4. Aerobic respiration produces water and carbon dioxide as by-products.
5. NADH and FADH2 are crucial electron carriers generated during aerobic respiration.

Review Questions

• What are the three main stages of aerobic respiration?
• How many ATP molecules are produced from one molecule of glucose during aerobic respiration?
• What role does oxygen play in aerobic respiration?

Related terms

Glycolysis:

The first stage of aerobic respiration where glucose is broken down into pyruvate.

Krebs Cycle:

A series of reactions that generate electron carriers NADH and FADH2 within the mitochondria.

Oxidative Phosphorylation:

The final stage where ATP is synthesized using energy from electrons transferred to oxygen.