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Quick summary of respiration

Oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor. Glucose is broken down by glycolysis in order to produce acetyl-coenzyme A (Acetyl-CoA), which is then fed into the Krebs cycle (a.k.a. citric acid cycle, tricarboxylic acid cycle, TCA). Here it is combined with oxaloacetate to form citrate (a 6-carbon molecule), from which during a series of reactions two carbon atoms are split off as CO2, ultimately forming oxaloacetate again (4-carbon).

Along these pathways, several molecules of NAD are reduced to NADH. This is then used to pump protons across the mitochondrial membrane during a process called oxidative phosphorylation. This establishes a concentration difference on the two sides of the membrane and a physical "force" which is "trying" to reestablish balance, and this is used to generate energy. At the very end of oxidative phosphorylation, oxygen (O2) is converted to water (H2O).

Oxygen

The function of oxygen in this scheme only becomes clear when you look at the system more generally. Glucose contains electrons which are involved in what you could call "high-energy" bonds. This means that they are happy to react with other atoms, as long as they end up in a "lower-energy" bond. (Imagine everything in nature being extremely lazy - it always tries to get to a state where there is least tension, pressure, ...)

What cellular respiration essentially does is a big trade-off. The high-energy electrons in glucose are allowed to drop down into CO2, where they can stay in much lower-energy bonds. In return, the electrons in the bond of the O2 molecule (which is even lower-energy) are taken up a step into a slightly higher energy level, which is the bonds of H2O. However, the electrons from glucose fall much lower than the electrons from O2 are raised. The difference between the two jumps is captured by the cell as energy.

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12y ago

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Related Questions

Which orangelle has the function of using oxygen?

The mitochondria, a type of organelle, is responsible for utilizing oxygen in a process called cellular respiration to generate energy for the cell.


Why does a cell need oxygen and what do you get in return?

The cell needs oxygen for respiration (diffusion and osmosis)


What the cell makes during in the process of cell respiration?

Oxygen.


Inhaled oxygen is required for this to function?

Respiration, specifically cellular respiration, is the process that requires inhaled oxygen to generate energy from glucose in cells. Oxygen is used as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, which produces ATP, the cell's main energy source. Without oxygen, cells are unable to efficiently produce energy through respiration.


What is used in cell respiration?

no oxygen is used


What cell structure needs oxygen to do its job?

In order for cellular respiration to take place, mitochondria must have oxygen. Mitochondria are the building blocks of the cell, and the cell cannot survive without it.


Does respiration use oxygen?

Yes, respiration is the process by which cells break down glucose to release energy. In aerobic respiration, oxygen is used as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain to produce ATP, the cell's main energy source. Oxygen is necessary for this process to efficiently generate energy.


How are cell respiration and photosynthesis connected?

cell respiration consumes oxygen and sugars and produces CO2, photosynthesis consumes CO2 and produces oxygen and sugars


What is the term that refers to the general type of respiration when there is no oxygen in the cell?

anaerobic respiration


An easy and understandable explanation for respiration?

Respiration is the process where cells in our body convert oxygen and glucose into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. Oxygen is taken in through breathing, and glucose is obtained from the food we eat. This process provides the energy needed for our cells to function and perform their tasks.


An increase in the concentration of ATP in a muscle cell is a direct result of which life function?

An increase in the concentration of ATP in a muscle cell is a direct result of cellular respiration, which is the life function responsible for generating ATP through the breakdown of glucose or other nutrients in the presence of oxygen.


The main function of respiration is to cause?

The main function of respiration is to cause an exchange in the body of carbon dioxide for fresh oxygen. The act of respiration is breathing.