Question

Where does each stage of cellular respiration occur, and what happens during each stage?

Answer 1

Answer:

Cellular respiration occurs in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, with most reactions taking place in the cytoplasm of prokaryotes and in the mitochondria of eukaryotes.

1. Glycolysis. In glycolysis, glucose—a six-carbon sugar—undergoes a series of chemical transformations. In the end, it gets converted into two molecules of pyruvate, a three-carbon organic molecule. In these reactions, ATP is made.

2. Pyruvate oxidation. Each pyruvate from glycolysis goes into the mitochondrial matrix—the innermost compartment of mitochondria. There, it’s converted into a two-carbon molecule bound to Coenzyme A, known as acetyl CoA. Carbon dioxide is released

3. Citric acid cycle. The acetyl CoA made in the last step combines with a four-carbon molecule and goes through a cycle of reactions, ultimately regenerating the four-carbon starting molecule.  

4.Oxidative phosphorylation.

The NADH and FADH2  made in other steps depoist their electrons in electron transport chain, turning back into their empty chains.As electrons move down the chain, energy is released and used to pump protons out of the matrix, forming a gradient. Protons flow back into the matrix through an enzyme called ATP synthase, making ATP. At the end of the electron transport chain, oxygen accepts electrons and takes up protons to form water.