Question

What are the four major biochemical steps in respiration that result in the production of ATP.

Describe each

Answer 1

Cellular respiration is a metabolic reaction that occurs in cells that convert biochemical energy into ATP and release waste products. It is aerobic respiration. It contains four-stage:

1. Glycolysis
2. Link reaction
3. Krebs’s cycle
4. Electron transport chain

Glycolysis

In this process, glucose is breakdown into 2 molecules of pyruvate and release ATP and NADPH as energy.

Link reaction

In link reaction, pyruvate molecule pumped into mitochondria and 1 hydrogen and 1 carbon dioxide molecule will be removed from pyruvate and it will produce acetyl group which finally attaches with enzyme CoA and form acetyl CoA which is required by Krebs cycle.

Krebs cycle

When acetyl CoA bind with oxaloacetate it will form 6 carbon atoms. At the end of the Krebs cycle, it will produce 6NADPH, 2 ATP, 2 FADH, AND 4 CO2.

Electron transport chain

During the Krebs cycle, link reaction all hydrogen molecules left can be used in this reaction where hydrogen pumped into mitochondria and electron release. It is a series step that occurs between electron donor and electron acceptor and releases a large amount of ATP.