General Biology

AEROBIC
RESPIRATION
An In-Depth Look at the Cellular Respiration

Biology with GROUP 1

 AEROBIC RESPIRATION
Aerobic respiration is a complex, multi-stage process
that efficiently produces ATP, the primary energy
currency for cells.

Respiration is a fundamental process that occurs in

cells that extracts energy from organic molecules.
While respiration can occur with or without oxygen,
aerobic respiration specifically requires oxygen.
Here is the definition of aerobic respiration, its
significance, the organisms that rely on it, and the
stages involved.
 CELL DIVISION
Aerobic respiration
is a cellular process
in the cell uses
oxygen to
metabolize glucose
and produce energy
in the form of
adenosine
triphosphate (ATP).

It is the most efficient form of cellular respiration and

is utilized by most eukaryotic organisms.
 IMPORTANCE

ENERGY PRODUCTION

It provides a high yield of

ATP, which is the primary
energy currency of cells.
 IMPORTANCE
EFFICIENCY

Compared to anaerobic
respiration, aerobic
respiration extracts
more energy from each
glucose molecule.
 IMPORTANCE
WASTE PRODUCTS

Carbon dioxide and water, the

waste products of aerobic
respiration, are less toxic than the
lactic acid or ethanol produced in
anaerobic respiration.
WHICH ORGANISMS USE AEROBIC
RESPIRATION ?
Most eukaryotic organisms, including plants,
animals, and fungi, use aerobic respiration. Some
prokaryotes, like certain bacteria, also utilize this
process. However, certain organisms, especially
those in oxygen-deprived environments, rely on
anaerobic respiration or fermentation.

While the core process of aerobic respiration is

similar in both plants and animals, there differ in
how they obtain glucose:
WHICH ORGANISMS USE AEROBIC
RESPIRATION ?

Plants: Plants first produce glucose

through photosynthesis.

This glucose is then used in aerobic

respiration to produce energy.
WHICH ORGANISMS USE AEROBIC
RESPIRATION ?
Animals: Animals obtain glucose from
the food they consume.

Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are

all potential sources of glucose. This
glucose is then metabolized during
aerobic respiration.
The process of aerobic respiration requires
several steps, but the overall reaction is that
one glucose molecule requires six oxygen
molecules for a reaction that yields six carbon
dioxide molecules, six water molecules, and
up to 38 ATP molecules.

C6​H12​O6 ​+ 6 O2​ → 6 CO2 ​+ 6 H2​O + Energy

(ATP)
CHEMICAL FORMULA
C6​H12​O6 ​+ 6 O2​ → 6 CO2 ​+ 6 H2​O +
Energy (ATP)
STAGES OF AEROBIC
RESPIRATION
 STEPS OF AEROBIC
RESPIRATION

The four main steps of aerobic respiration are

glycolysis, pyruvate decarboxylation (link
reaction), the Krebs cycle (Citric Acid Cycle or
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle), and the electron
transport chain with oxidative phosphorylation.
 GLYCOLYSIS
Glycolysis is the initial step of both aerobic and
anaerobic respiration and the only step that occurs in
the cytoplasm of the cell.

It involves the breakdown of one molecule of glucose (a

six-carbon sugar) into two molecules of pyruvate (a
three-carbon compound).
 GLYCOLYSIS
The process consists of ten enzyme-catalyzed
reactions. These reactions consume two ATP
molecules, but since four ATP molecules are
produced, there is a net gain of two ATP.
Additionally, the reaction generates two
molecules of NADH, which find use in the later
stages of aerobic respiration.
GLYCOLYSIS
1. Glycolysis
Location: Cytoplasm
Consumed: Glucose, 2 NAD+,
2 ADP + 2 Pi
Produced: 2 Pyruvate, 2
NADH, 2 ATP
Reaction: C6​H12​O6 ​+ 2 NAD+
+ 2 ADP + 2 Pi → 2 C3​H4​O3​ +
2 NADH + 2 ATP
PYRUVATE
DECARBOXYLATION (LINK
REACTION)
Once inside the mitochondrial
matrix, each pyruvate
molecule undergoes a
decarboxylation reaction. The
enzyme pyruvate
dehydrogenase facilitates the
reaction
PYRUVATE
DECARBOXYLATION (LINK
REACTION)
The reaction removes one
carbon atom pyruvate in the
form of carbon dioxide. The
remaining two-carbon
compound attaches to
coenzyme A, forming acetyl-
CoA. The yield is one molecule
of NADH for each pyruvate.
PYRUVATE DECARBOXYLATION
(LINK REACTION)

Pyruvate Decarboxylation (Link Reaction)

Location: Mitochondrial matrix
Consumed: 2 Pyruvate, 2 NAD+
Produced: 2 Acetyl-CoA, 2 NADH, 2 CO2
Reaction: 2 C3​H4​O3​ + 2 NAD+ → 2 C2​H3​
O−CoA + 2 NADH + 2 CO2
KREBS CYCLE (CITRIC ACID
CYCLE)
The Krebs Cycle, also known
as the citric acid cycle, is a
series of chemical reactions
that produce energy through
the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.
Like pyruvate
decarboxylation, it occurs in
the mitochondrial matrix.
STEPS OF THE KREBS CYCLE (CITRIC
ACID CYCLE)

Step 1. In the first step of the

citric acid cycle, acetyl CoA
joins with a four-carbon
molecule, oxaloacetate,
releasing the CoA group and
forming a six-carbon
molecule called citrate.
STEPS OF THE KREBS CYCLE (CITRIC
ACID CYCLE)

Step 2. In the second step,

citrate is converted into its
isomer, isocitrate. This is
actually a two-step process,
involving first the removal
and then the addition of a
water molecule
STEPS OF THE KREBS CYCLE (CITRIC
ACID CYCLE)
Step 3. In the third step, isocitrate is
oxidized and releases a molecule of
carbon dioxide, leaving behind a
five-carbon molecule α-
ketoglutarate. During this step,
NAD+ is reduced to form NADH The
enzyme catalyzing this step,
isocitrate dehydrogenase, is
important in regulating the speed of
the citric acid cycle.
STEPS OF THE KREBS CYCLE (CITRIC
ACID CYCLE)
Step 4. The fourth step is similar to the
third. In this case, it’s α-ketoglutarate
that’s oxidized, reducing NAD+ to NADH
and releasing a molecule of carbon
dioxide in the process. The remaining
four-carbon molecule picks up Coenzyme
A, forming the unstable compound
succinyl CoA. The enzyme catalyzing this
step, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, is
also important in regulation of the citric
acid cycle.
STEPS OF THE KREBS CYCLE (CITRIC
ACID CYCLE)
Step 5. In step five, the CoA of succinyl
CoA is replaced by a phosphate
group, which is then transferred to
ADP to make ATP. In some cells, GDP—
guanosine diphosphate—is used
instead of ADP, forming GTP—
guanosine triphosphate—as a
product. The four-carbon molecule
produced in this step is called
succinate
STEPS OF THE KREBS CYCLE (CITRIC
ACID CYCLE)
Step 6. In step six, succinate is oxidized,
forming another four-carbon molecule
called fumarate. In this reaction, two
hydrogen atoms—with their electrons—
are transferred to FAD, producing
FADH2. The enzyme that carries out this
step is embedded in the inner
membrane of the mitochondrion, so
FADH2 can transfer its electrons directly
into the electron transport chain.
STEPS OF THE KREBS CYCLE (CITRIC
ACID CYCLE)
Step 7. In step seven, water is added to the
four-carbon molecule fumarate,
converting it into another four-carbon
molecule called malate.
Step 8. In the last step of the citric acid
cycle, oxaloacetate—the starting four-
carbon compound—is regenerated by
oxidation of malate. Another molecule of
NAD+ is reduced to NADH in the process
 PRODUCTS OF THE CITRIC ACID
CYCLE
In a single turn of the cycle,
two carbons enter from acetyl CoA,
and two molecules of carbon dioxide
are released;
three molecules of NADH and one
molecule of FADH2 are generated;
and
one molecule of ATP or GTP is
produced.
ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN
(ETC) AND OXIDATIVE
PHOSPHORYLATION
The ETC is a series of protein complexes
embedded in the inner mitochondrial
membrane. NADH and FADH2, produced
in earlier stages, donate their electrons to
these complexes. As electrons move
through the chain, they release energy.
This energy pumps protons (H+ ions)
across the inner mitochondrial
membrane, creating a proton gradient.
ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN
(ETC) AND OXIDATIVE
PHOSPHORYLATION
This gradient drives the synthesis of
ATP via an enzyme called ATP synthase.
Oxygen acts as the final electron
acceptor, combining with electrons and
protons to form water. This step is
crucial, as it prevents the backup of
electrons in the ETC, allowing the
continued flow and production of ATP.
ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN (ETC)
AND OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION

Electron Transport Chain (ETC) and Oxidative Phosphorylation

Location: Inner mitochondrial membrane
Consumed: 10 NADH, 2 FADH2, 6 O2, 32-34 ADP + 32-34
Pi
Produced: 10 NAD+, 2 FAD, 6 H2O, 32-34 ATP
Reaction: Electrons from NADH and FADH2 are passed
through protein complexes, pumping protons into the
intermembrane space. Oxygen acts as the final electron
acceptor, forming water. The proton gradient drives ATP
synthesis.
KEY POINTS
Oxygen Requirement: Aerobic respiration requires oxygen
to act as the final electron acceptor in the ETC.

Stages: Comprises four main stages – Glycolysis, Pyruvate

Decarboxylation, Krebs Cycle, and Electron Transport
Chain. Some of the stages have different name.

ATP Production: Ideally, aerobic respiration produces a net

gain of approximately 36-38 ATP molecules per glucose
molecule, making it highly efficient. However, in reality the
gain is only 30-32 ATP/glucose. There are a variety of
reasons, but ultimately the stoichiometry is a bit more
complicated during oxidative phosphorylation.
KEY POINTS
Location: While glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm, the
remaining stages take place in the mitochondria.
By-products: Carbon dioxide and water are the primary
waste products.
NADH and FADH2: These are electron carriers produced
during various stages, crucial for the ETC.
Proton Gradient: The ETC creates a proton gradient,
which is essential for ATP synthesis during oxidative
phosphorylation.
Versatility: While the core process remains consistent,
different organisms have slight variations in the process
or its efficiency.
THANK YOU