Aerobic Respiration Summary - Online Tutor, Practice Problems & Exam Prep

Aerobic respiration involves the Krebs Cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, where 2 Acetyl CoA initiates the Krebs Cycle, producing 4 CO₂, 2 ATP, 2 FADH₂, and 6 NADH, culminating in oxaloacetate. In oxidative phosphorylation, FADH₂ and NADH transfer electrons to the electron transport chain, generating a theoretical yield of 20 ATP and water, with O₂ as the final electron acceptor. This metabolic pathway is crucial for energy production in cells, highlighting the importance of ATP in cellular processes.

Aerobic Respiration Summary Concept 1

So in this video, let's do an aerobic respiration summary. Right. So here we have our starting molecule. We have Carbon Dioxide, ATP, FADH₂, NADH and then we have our end molecule. Now, lipids, proteins, or carbohydrates we'll talk about in greater detail later on, so we'll keep this part grayed out. Next, we have the Krebs Cycle, which is the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Now remember, the electron transport chain is part of this oxidative phosphorylation. So just think of it as going from complex 1 all the way to complex 5 for this section. Now, remember that the Krebs Cycle is stage 3 of our food catabolism, and we can think of the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) and oxidative phosphorylation as stage 4. Together they make the common metabolic pathway.

Now at this point we know that the starting material for our Krebs Cycle is 2 of Acetyl CoA. We know that the amount of Cl₂ we make is 4. ATP is 2. FADH₂ is also 2, NADH 6, and our end molecule would be Oxaloacetate. Now here we have oxidative phosphorylation, we're going to basically take the FAD, H₂ and the NADH that we made in the Krebs Cycle, they're being shuttled off from stage 3 to stage 4 of food catabolism. So this would be 6 and this would be 2. Now, the amount of CO₂ that's produced is 0. This happens in the Krebs Cycle, not in Oxidative Phosphorylation or the ETC. ATP. Remember we said theoretically we can make 18 ATP molecules? FADH₂, well it gets oxidized back into FAD, so it's 0 being more being made. NADH, more of it isn't being made. It's just coming in dropping off its electrons at complex 1. So there are no more NADH's being created in the ETC or Oxidative Phosphorylation.

Finally, our end molecule in oxidative phosphorylation, the final electron acceptor is O₂, and that helps to make water. All we do now is we add up our totals. So we'd say that we'd have a total of 4 Carbon Dioxides, we'd have a total of 20 ATP, we'd have 2 FADH₂, and 6 NADHs being created if we're looking at the common metabolic pathway. So, stages 3 and 4 of food catabolism. So keep these numbers in mind when we're asked about the summary of aerobic respiration.

Aerobic Respiration Summary Example 1

What are the total ATP molecules produced by NADH from the Citric acid cycle? Now remember, 2 rounds of the Citric acid cycle create a total of 6 NADHs. And remember, that on average, we're making 2.5 ATP per NADH. So here we just do 6 × 2.5 , when you punch that into your calculator, you should get back 15 ATP. So here we'd say that the total amount of ATP molecules produced by NADH from the Citric acid cycle, and remember we're talking about 2 rounds of it, because there are 2 Acetyl CoA's involved, it would be 15 ATP molecules. So here our answer would be option C.

Which is the primary function of Electron Transport Chain in aerobic respiration?

• A. Synthesize ATP by oxidative phosphorylation.
• B. Degrade proteins to amino acids.
• C. Transport electrons from NADH and FADH₂.
• D. Produce oxygen and water.

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What are the main stages of aerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration consists of two main stages: the Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle) and oxidative phosphorylation. The Krebs Cycle begins with 2 Acetyl CoA molecules, producing 4 CO2, 2 ATP, 2 FADH2, and 6 NADH, and ends with oxaloacetate. Oxidative phosphorylation involves the electron transport chain (ETC) where FADH2 and NADH donate electrons, leading to the production of a theoretical yield of 20 ATP and water, with O2 as the final electron acceptor. These stages are crucial for energy production in cells.

How many ATP molecules are produced in aerobic respiration?

In aerobic respiration, a theoretical total of 20 ATP molecules are produced. This includes 2 ATP from the Krebs Cycle and 18 ATP from oxidative phosphorylation. The ATP generated is essential for various cellular processes, providing the energy needed for cell function and maintenance.

What is the role of the electron transport chain in aerobic respiration?

The electron transport chain (ETC) is a crucial component of oxidative phosphorylation in aerobic respiration. It involves a series of protein complexes (from complex I to complex V) that transfer electrons from NADH and FADH2 to oxygen, the final electron acceptor. This transfer of electrons generates a proton gradient across the mitochondrial membrane, which drives the synthesis of ATP. The ETC ultimately produces water and contributes significantly to the total ATP yield in aerobic respiration.

What are the end products of the Krebs Cycle?

The end products of the Krebs Cycle are 4 CO2, 2 ATP, 2 FADH2, and 6 NADH. Additionally, the cycle regenerates oxaloacetate, which is used to combine with Acetyl CoA to start the cycle again. These products are essential for the next stage of aerobic respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, where they contribute to the production of ATP.

Why is oxygen important in aerobic respiration?

Oxygen is crucial in aerobic respiration as it serves as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain (ETC). Without oxygen, the ETC would halt, preventing the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Oxygen combines with electrons and protons to form water, ensuring the continuation of the ETC and the efficient production of ATP, which is vital for cellular energy needs.