Use this worksheet to practice with Chapter 8 content

1. Review the steps of aerobic respiration - glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. For each step, list all the inputs and outputs, including their counts. Include: Glucose, pyruvate, NAD+, FAD, NADH, FADH2, ATP, ADP, water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. If we noted any special intermediary molecules, also include those in your summary of the steps of aerobic respiration.

Aerobic respiration is a fascinating process that powers most living organisms! It begins with glycolysis, where one glucose molecule is broken down into two pyruvate molecules, producing a net gain of 2 ATP and 2 NADH. Next, in the citric acid cycle, each pyruvate is converted to Acetyl-CoA, entering the cycle that generates 2 ATP, 6 NADH, 2 FADH2, and releases 4 CO2 for each glucose metabolized. Finally, the electron transport chain uses the high-energy electrons from NADH and FADH2 to produce up to 34 ATP, utilizing oxygen as the final electron acceptor to produce water.

Understanding how aerobic respiration works not only sheds light on our body’s energy production but also illuminates its vital role in various industries! For instance, yeast utilizes aerobic respiration for fermentation processes, which are fundamental in baking and brewing. By knowing these pathways, food scientists can tweak fermentation conditions to enhance flavors or alcohol content, while fitness enthusiasts can tailor their workouts to improve aerobic efficiency, maximizing their energy usage in sports and daily activities.