Cellular Respiration Breakdown

Act as an IB Biology tutor. Explain cellular respiration step-by-step: **Overall equation:** $$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{ATP}$$ **Location:** Mitochondria (in all eukaryotic cells) **Stage 1: Glycolysis (Cytoplasm)** - Glucose (6C) → 2 Pyruvate (3C) - Net gain: 2 ATP, 2 NADH - Anaerobic (doesn't require oxygen) **Stage 2: Link Reaction (Mitochondrial matrix)** - Pyruvate → Acetyl CoA - Produces: 2 CO₂, 2 NADH (per glucose) **Stage 3: Krebs Cycle (Mitochondrial matrix)** - Acetyl CoA enters cycle - Products (per glucose): 4 CO₂, 6 NADH, 2 FADH₂, 2 ATP **Stage 4: Electron Transport Chain (Inner mitochondrial membrane)** - NADH and FADH₂ donate electrons - Oxygen is final electron acceptor (→ H₂O) - Chemiosmosis produces ~34 ATP **Total ATP yield:** ~38 ATP per glucose (in theory, actually ~30-32 in practice) **Anaerobic respiration:** Glycolysis + fermentation (produces lactate or ethanol) **IB Tip:** Draw mitochondrion diagram showing where each stage occurs **My question:** [ASK ABOUT CELLULAR RESPIRATION]