Unit 4: Cell Structure & Function

Cellular Respiration

During glycolysis, each glucose molecule is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate. In eukaryotic cells, the pyruvate enters the mitochondrion where it is oxidized to acetyl CoA, eventually becoming oxidized to CO2 in the citric acid cycle. The electron carriers NADH and FADH2 transfer electrons derived from glucose to electron transport chains. During oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport chains convert the chemical energy to a form used for ATP synthesis in the process called chemiosmosis.

Step 1: Glycolysis