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different enzymes, the phosphate groups are removed and these pyruvate molecules are ready to enter the Krebs Cycle. The reactions of glycolysis produces a net gain of 2 ATP molecules, as well as a release of 2 water molecules and 2 NADH molecules (these are another type of energy-rich molecule) The Krebs Cycle: As pyruvate is being shuttled from the cytosol to the interior of the mitochondrion, a microenzyme removes one carbon and two oxygens from each molecule, producing Aceytl CoA. This two-carbon sugar that actually enters the Krebs Cycle. The Krebs Cycle is a series of steps, catalyzed by enzymes, which completely oxidize the Aceytl CoA molecule. The Krebs Cycle is an aerobic process, meaning it needs oxygen to function. Two complete turns of the Krebs Cycle must occur to produce: 4 carbon dioxide molecules, 6 NADH molecules, 2 ATP molecules and 2 FADH2 molecules (yet another energy-yielding molecule). The Electron Transport Chain: Very little energy has been produced during glycolysis and the Krebs Cycle. Most of the energy locked in the original glucose molecule will be released by the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. The electron transport chain is a network of electron-carrying proteins located in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion. These proteins transfer electrons from one to another, down the chain, much in the way a bucket brigade passes buckets of water. These electrons will eventually be added, along with protons, to oxygen, which is the final electron acceptor. This produces water, but does not produce any ATP. The ATP is actually produced by a proton motive force. This force is a store of potential energy created by the gradient formed when hydrogens (protons) are moved across a biological membrane. Therefore, the electron transport chain merely produces a gradient through which ATP can be made (this is known as chemiosmosis). The electron transport chain produces the remaining 32-34 ATP. Fermentation - an Alternative to Cellular Respiration: While some steps do not require oxygen, cellular respiration, as a whole, can only take place when oxygen is present. For organisms living in anaerobic conditions, complete cellular respiration is not possible. For these organisms, glycolysis is the first and last step of the cellular respiration process. Glycolysis proceeds normally, as in aerobic conditions, producing a net gain of 2 ATP. The two pyruvate molecules, however, are reduced and the NAD necessary for the initiation of glycolysis is recycled. In this way, the cells do not deplete their store of NAD, although they are only able to produce 2 ATP. As a by-product of fermentation, either ethanol or lactic acid is produced.
Cellular respiration is an almost universal process by which organisms utilize the sugars in their food to produce enough energy to perform all the necessary actions of living creatures.
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