Cell respiration
Cell Respiration
Cell respiration (pronunciation: /sɛl rɛspɪˈreɪʃən/) is a set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products. The reactions involved in respiration are catabolic reactions, which break down large molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy in the process.
Etymology
The term "cell respiration" is derived from the Latin cella, meaning "small room", and the Latin respiratio, meaning "breathing".
Process
Cell respiration involves three main stages: Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the Electron transport chain.
- Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose C6H12O6, into pyruvate, CH3COCOO− + H+. The free energy released in this process is used to form the high-energy molecules ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).
- The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or the tricarboxylic acid cycle, is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, into ATP and carbon dioxide.
- The Electron transport chain (ETC) is a series of complexes that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors via redox reactions, and couples this electron transfer with the transfer of protons (H+ ions) across a membrane.
Related Terms
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - a complex organic chemical that provides energy to drive many processes in living cells, e.g. muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and chemical synthesis.
- Metabolism - the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.
- Catabolism - the breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones, along with the release of energy.
- Anabolism - the synthesis of complex molecules in living organisms from simpler ones together with the storage of energy.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cell respiration
- Wikipedia's article - Cell respiration
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