Cellular Respiration, Cellular Respiration: Aerobic Vs Anaerobic: Anaerobic And Aerobic Respiration

Cellular Respiration Definition

Cellular respiration is the biochemical process by which glucose is converted into ATP, the key form of energy in cells, in a series of steps involving metabolic pathways. It is generally the process through which most of the energy that one needs to perform several cellular activities is acquired.

Cellular respiration is the oxidation of sugar that forms both ATP and water as products, with the byproduct being carbon dioxide. It involves three key steps: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

Cellular respiration refers to the process through which living organisms obtain energy from food to stay alive, grow, and repair or replace damaged cell structures.

Types Of Cellular Respiration

There are two main types of cellular respiration. These are based on the presence or absence of oxygen.

• Aerobic Respiration: This requires oxygen and the glucose is completely oxidised.

• Anaerobic Respiration: This takes place without oxygen and the glucose is partially oxidised.

Aerobic Cellular Respiration

Aerobic respiration is a process which needs oxygen and the final product is that glucose is completely broken down into carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.

Detailed Stages

The detailed stages are given below:

Glycolysis

• Location: Cytoplasm

• Process: Breakdown of glucose into pyruvate

• Products: ATP and NADH

Krebs Cycle

• Location: Mitochondrial matrix

• Process: Oxidation of Acetyl-CoA

• Products: NADH, FADH2, and ATP

Electron Transport Chain

• Location: Inner mitochondrial membrane

• Process: Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor, forming water

• Products: Proton gradient and ATP synthesis

ATP Yield

• Efficiency: High - 36-38 ATP per glucose molecule

Anaerobic Cellular Respiration

Anaerobic respiration takes place in the absence of oxygen and involves the partial breakdown of glucose.

Types Of Anaerobic Respiration

The types of anaerobic respiration are:

Lactic Acid Fermentation

• Occurs in: Muscle cells

• Process: Pyruvate converted to lactic acid

• Significance: Regeneration of NAD+

Alcoholic Fermentation

• Occurs in: Yeast and some bacteria

• Process: Pyruvate converted to ethanol and CO2

• Significance: Regeneration of NAD+

• ATP Yield Efficiency: Lower (about 2 ATP per glucose molecule)

Table: Aerobic Vs Anaerobic Respiration

Applications and Significance

The details are given below:

Aerobic Respiration

• Maintains sustained activity in multicellular organisms.

• Required in complex organisms to perform energy-consuming activities.

Anaerobic Respiration

• Useful in low oxygen conditions where aerobic respiration can't be done.

• The base of industrial processes of fermentation, e.g., brewing and baking.

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