Respiration

Definition

Respiration is the metabolic process by which cells convert nutrients into energy in the form of ATP. It involves a series of biochemical reactions, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Eukaryotic cells primarily perform aerobic respiration, which requires oxygen to produce ATP efficiently.
2. The mitochondrion is the powerhouse of eukaryotic cells where most stages of cellular respiration occur.
3. Anaerobic respiration occurs in some microorganisms and does not require oxygen, yielding less ATP compared to aerobic respiration.
4. Glycolysis is the first step of both aerobic and anaerobic respiration and takes place in the cytoplasm.
5. In biogeochemical cycles, microbial respiration contributes to carbon cycling by converting organic carbon into carbon dioxide.

Review Questions

• What are the main stages of cellular respiration in eukaryotic cells?
• Where does glycolysis occur within the cell?
• How does anaerobic respiration differ from aerobic respiration in terms of oxygen requirement and ATP yield?

Related terms

Glycolysis:

The initial stage of cellular respiration that breaks down glucose into pyruvate.

Krebs Cycle:

A series of enzymatic reactions in mitochondria that produce electron carriers for oxidative phosphorylation.

Oxidative Phosphorylation:

The final stage of cellular respiration where ATP is produced via electron transport chain activity.