Stages of Cellular Respiration Questions and Answers Graded A+

Stages of Cellular Respiration Questions and Answers Graded A+ What are the four main stages of cellular respiration? The four main stages of cellular respiration are glycolysis, pyruvate decarboxylation, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. What is the purpose of glycolysis in cellular respiration? The purpose of glycolysis is to break down one molecule of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, generating small amounts of ATP and NADH. Where does glycolysis occur in the cell? Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. What is the net gain of ATP in glycolysis? The net gain of ATP in glycolysis is 2 ATP per molecule of glucose. What happens to the pyruvate molecules produced during glycolysis? 2 The pyruvate molecules are transported into the mitochondria where they undergo further processing in the pyruvate decarboxylation stage. What is pyruvate decarboxylation? Pyruvate decarboxylation is the process where each pyruvate molecule is converted into acetyl-CoA, releasing carbon dioxide and transferring electrons to NAD+ to form NADH. Where does pyruvate decarboxylation occur in the cell? Pyruvate decarboxylation occurs in the mitochondria. What is the significance of acetyl-CoA in cellular respiration? Acetyl-CoA is an important molecule that enters the citric acid cycle, where it is further metabolized to produce ATP, NADH, and FADH2. What is the role of the citric acid cycle in cellular respiration? The citric acid cycle generates high-energy electron carriers, NADH and FADH2, and produces a small amount of ATP while releasing carbon dioxide as a byproduct. How many ATP molecules are produced in the citric acid cycle? 3 The citric acid cycle produces 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule (one per turn of the cycle). What happens to the electrons in NADH and FADH2 after the citric acid cycle? The electrons in NADH and FADH2 are transferred to the electron transport chain to generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Where does the electron transport chain take place in the cell? The electron transport chain occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane. How does the electron transport chain contribute to ATP production? The electron transport chain generates a proton gradient by pumping protons (H+) across the mitochondrial membrane, which drives ATP production via ATP synthase. What is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain? The final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain is oxygen, which combines with electrons and protons to form water. What is oxidative phosphorylation?