The Process of Cellular Respiration

Front

Cellular Respiration Noun

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[sel-yuh-ler res-puh-rey-shuhn]

Back

Cellular Respiration

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A metabolic process that releases chemical energy from food molecules, like glucose, in the presence of oxygen.

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Example: This diagram shows the process where glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP) inside a cell.

Front

Glycolysis Noun

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[glahy-kol-uh-sis]

Back

Glycolysis

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The initial breakdown of glucose into pyruvic acid, occurring in the cytoplasm and producing ATP and NADH.

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Example: This diagram shows glycolysis, where one glucose molecule is broken down into two pyruvate molecules, producing a net gain of energy (ATP).

Front

Krebs Cycle Noun

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[krebz sahy-kuhl]

Back

Krebs Cycle

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The second stage where pyruvic acid is broken down into carbon dioxide, producing ATP and electron carriers.

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Example: This diagram shows the Krebs Cycle, a key step in cellular respiration, where a molecule (Acetyl-CoA) enters a cycle to produce energy-carrying molecules (ATP, NADH).

Front

Electron Transport Chain Noun

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[ih-lek-tron trans-pawrt cheyn]

Back

Electron Transport Chain

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A series of proteins that transfer high-energy electrons to generate a proton gradient for synthesizing large amounts of ATP.

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Example: This diagram shows electrons moving through proteins in a membrane, which pumps protons (H+) to create a gradient that powers the production of ATP.

Front

ATP Noun

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[ey-tee-pee]

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ATP

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The primary molecule used by cells to store and transfer chemical energy for metabolic processes.

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Example: This diagram shows that food (like rice) enters the mitochondrion, which then performs cellular respiration to produce ATP, the cell's main energy source.

Front

Glucose Noun

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[gloo-kohs]

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Glucose

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A simple six-carbon sugar that serves as the main source of energy for cellular respiration.

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Example: This image shows the ball-and-stick model of a glucose molecule, identifying the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms that make up this simple sugar.

Front

Pyruvic Acid Noun

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[pahy-roo-vik as-id]

Back

Pyruvic Acid

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A three-carbon compound formed as the end product of glycolysis, which then enters the Krebs cycle.

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Example: This diagram shows that pyruvic acid (pyruvate) is a molecule that gets converted into another molecule (acetyl CoA) during the process of cellular respiration.

Front

Cytoplasm Noun

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[sahy-tuh-plaz-uhm]

Back

Cytoplasm

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The jelly-like substance filling a cell, surrounding the nucleus, where the process of glycolysis takes place.

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Example: This diagram shows the cytoplasm as the jelly-like substance that fills the cell and surrounds the nucleus, where the first stage of cellular respiration occurs.

Front

NAD+ Noun

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[en-ey-dee-pluhs]

Back

NAD+

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An electron carrier molecule that accepts high-energy electrons during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, becoming NADH.

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Example: This image shows how the molecule NAD+ accepts electrons and a proton to become NADH, a key step in carrying energy during cellular respiration.

Front

NADH Noun

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[en-ey-dee-eych]

Back

NADH

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The reduced form of NAD+, carrying high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain for ATP production.

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Example: This diagram shows NADH, an energy-carrying molecule, delivering an electron (e-) to start the electron transport chain, a key step in cellular respiration.