Question

What are the three main processes that make up aerobic respiration? Name each process, provide a brief description of the process, and indicate the location of the process.

Answer 1

Answer:  

Aerobic respiration is a process glucose produces energy in the presence of oxygen. In this process glucose is oxidized to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy in the form of ATP.

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ = 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (ATP)

Three main processes that make up aerobic respiration are:

1. Glycolysis:  it takes place in the cytosol of the cell. Here, glucose is oxidized to form three carbon molecule pyruvate. This process produces energy in the form of 2 ATP molecules and 2 NADH molecules. These NADH molecules carries 2 energy electrons these electrons are utilized by the electron transport chain.

2. Kreb's cycle: it takes place in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of the cell. Here, the molecules of pyruvate produced during glycolysis is utilized to produce ATP.

3. Electron transport chain:  glucose is not entirely converted into ATP. The NADH molecules produce during glycolysis  produces 2 energy electrons these electrons are taken up by electron transport chain in the mitochondria inner matrix. A proton gradient develops across the matrix after donation of electrons to electron transport chain. This gradient in turn produces energy in the form of ATP.