CellularRespirationSlideShow.pptVIP

In cellular respiration, energy in fuel is converted to ATP, shown here as starbursts. Most ATP is made in the cell’s mitochondria. ATP powers the work of the cell, such as contraction. GLYCOLYSIS Let’s take a closer look at how ATP is produced from a molecule of glucose—our fuel. Only the carbon skeleton is shown to keep things simple. The first step is called glycolysis, and it takes place outside the mitochondria. To begin the process, some energy has to be invested. Next, the molecule is split in half. Now, the molecule NAD+, an electron carrier, picks up electrons and hydrogen atoms from the carbon molecule, becoming NADH. Keep track of the electron carriers—they play an important role by transporting electrons to reactions in the mitochondria. Narration script: INTRODUCTION As this mountain biker heads up the trail, the breakfast he ate this morning is being burned to power his bike ride. His breathing rate increases as his leg muscles demand more oxygen to burn more fuel. Let’s zoom down to where this fuel is burned—our cells. In the final steps of glycolysis, some ATP is produced, but not much—for every glucose molecule, only two net ATPs are produced outside the mitochondrion. However, glycolysis has produced pyruvic acid, which still has a lot of energy available. ACETYL COA FORMATION Let’s follow this pyruvic acid molecule into a mitochondrion to see where most of the energy is extracted. As the molecule enters the mitochondrion, one carbon is removed, forming carbon dioxide as a by-product. Electrons are stripped, forming NADH. Coenzyme A attaches to the 2-carbon fragment, forming acetyl CoA. CITRIC ACID CYCLE Coenzyme A is removed and the remaining 2-carbon skeleton is attached to an existing 4-carbon molecule that serves as the starting point for the citric acid cycle. The new 6-carbon chain is partially broken down, releasing carbon dioxide. Several electrons are captured by electron carriers … … and more carbon dioxide is released. The carbon