What is the process of cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that cells use to convert glucose into energy. It occurs in three main stages:

1. Glycolysis:
   • Location: Cytoplasm
   • Process: Glucose (a six-carbon sugar) is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate (three-carbon compounds).
   • Products: 2 ATP (adenosine triphosphate), 2 NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), and 2 pyruvate molecules.
2. Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle):
   • Location: Mitochondrial matrix
   • Process: Pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA, which enters the Krebs cycle. Here, it undergoes a series of reactions that release carbon dioxide.
   • Products: 2 ATP, 6 NADH, 2 FADH₂ (flavin adenine dinucleotide), and carbon dioxide.
3. Electron Transport Chain (ETC) and Oxidative Phosphorylation:
   • Location: Inner mitochondrial membrane
   • Process: NADH and FADH₂ donate electrons to the electron transport chain. As electrons move through the chain, energy is used to pump protons across the membrane, creating a gradient. ATP synthase uses this gradient to produce ATP.
   • Products: Approximately 32-34 ATP and water (as oxygen combines with protons and electrons).

Overall, cellular respiration produces around 36-38 ATP molecules from one glucose molecule, providing energy essential for cellular functions.