Glycolysis and Citric Acid Cycle
Glycolysis
Glycolysis is the initial step of cellular respiration that occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. During this process, glucose, a 6-carbon sugar, is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate, a 3-carbon compound. This process generates a small amount of ATP and NADH, a high-energy electron carrier.
Vocabulary: Pyruvate - A 3-carbon compound produced as the end product of glycolysis.
Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)
The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, takes place in the mitochondrial matrix. In this stage, each pyruvate molecule from glycolysis is converted into acetyl-CoA and enters the citric acid cycle. The cycle generates NADH, FADH2, ATP, and releases carbon dioxide as a waste product.
Example: The citric acid cycle is like a cellular "energy factory" that produces high-energy electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) used in the next stage of cellular respiration.
Both glycolysis and the citric acid cycle are crucial steps in the cellular respiration equation, preparing the cell for the final stage where the majority of ATP is produced.