The mitochondria forms the fundamental site for glycolysis. The glucose is broken down enzymatically to produce carbon dioxide, water and ATP. The krebs cycle is the first stage of aerobic respiration. It takes place in the mitochondrial matrix. ATP synthase is an enzyme that generates ATP during the process of cellular respiration. ATP synthase forms ATP from ADP and an inorganic phosphate (Pi) through oxidative phosphorylation. The mitochondrial inner membrane is the site of the electron transport chain, an important step in aerobic respiration. Energy obtained through the transfer of electrons down the ETC is used to pump protons from the matrix into the intermembrane space, creating an electrochemical proton gradient generating ATP.
