Why do human cells require oxygen? Select all relevant statements.
a. To carry out glycolysis
b. To carry out fermentation
c. To carry out cellular respiration
d. To oxidize fats
e. To carry out substrate-level phosphorylation
f. To carry out oxidative phosphorylation
g. To carry out photophosphorylation

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that oxygen is primarily used in cellular respiration, specifically in the electron transport chain.
2. Recognize that glycolysis and fermentation do not require oxygen; they are anaerobic processes.
3. Identify that oxidative phosphorylation is a process that occurs in the mitochondria and requires oxygen to produce ATP.
4. Note that the oxidation of fats involves processes that require oxygen, as fats are broken down in the mitochondria.
5. Acknowledge that photophosphorylation is related to photosynthesis in plants and does not occur in human cells.

Key Concepts

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that converts biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and it requires oxygen in aerobic conditions. This process involves glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, where oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor, allowing for efficient ATP production.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Oxidative phosphorylation is a key component of cellular respiration that occurs in the mitochondria. It involves the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis, where electrons are transferred through a series of proteins, ultimately leading to the production of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, with oxygen being essential for the process.

Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Processes

Aerobic processes require oxygen to generate energy, while anaerobic processes do not. In human cells, aerobic respiration is more efficient than anaerobic processes like fermentation, which produce less ATP. Understanding the distinction between these processes is crucial for recognizing why oxygen is vital for human cellular metabolism.