Which stages are part of cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is a crucial biochemical process through which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, specifically ATP (adenosine triphosphate), while releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. The stages that constitute cellular respiration include glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

Glycolysis is the first step, occurring in the cytoplasm, where glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH in the process. Following glycolysis, if oxygen is present, the pyruvate enters the mitochondria, where it is converted into acetyl-CoA and enters the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle). This cycle involves a series of chemical reactions that further break down the acetyl-CoA, producing additional NADH and FADH2, which are critical for the next stage.

The final stage of cellular respiration is the electron transport chain, which takes place in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Here, the electrons carried by NADH and FADH2 are transferred through a series of proteins, ultimately leading to the production of a significant amount of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation as oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor.

Together, these three stages—