Lecture on ATP and Cellular Respiration

Introduction

• Discussion about morning energy levels and comparison to cellular activity.
• ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the energy currency for cells.
• All cells, whether prokaryotic or eukaryotic, must produce ATP.

ATP Production

• Process of producing ATP varies between cell types.
• Focus on aerobic cellular respiration in eukaryotic cells.

Eukaryotic Cells and Mitochondria

• Eukaryotic cells include protists, fungi, animals, and plants.
• Mitochondria play a crucial role in aerobic respiration.

Aerobic Cellular Respiration Equation

• Reactants on the left, products on the right.
• Similar to but not the opposite of photosynthesis.

Cellular Respiration in Plants

• Plants perform both photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
• Non-photosynthetic organisms need external glucose sources.

Steps in Aerobic Cellular Respiration

Step 1: Glycolysis

• Location: Cytoplasm.
• Anaerobic process.
• Converts glucose to pyruvate.
• Net yield: 2 ATP, 2 NADH, and 2 Pyruvate.

Intermediate Step

• Pyruvate transported to mitochondria.
• Pyruvate oxidized to acetyl CoA.
• Carbon dioxide released.
• Produces 2 NADH.

Step 2: Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)

• Location: Mitochondrial matrix.
• Aerobic process.
• Produces 2 ATP, 6 NADH, 2 FADH2, and releases carbon dioxide.

Step 3: Electron Transport Chain and Chemiosmosis

• Location: Inner mitochondrial membrane.
• Aerobic process, requires oxygen.
• Electrons transferred through protein complexes.
• Proton gradient formed.
• ATP synthase produces ATP from ADP.
• Oxygen is the final electron acceptor, forming water.

ATP Yield

• Range of ATP produced due to variables.
• Electron transport chain and chemiosmosis yield: 26-34 ATP.
• Total ATP yield including Krebs and glycolysis: 30-38 ATP.

Fermentation

• Alternative ATP production when no oxygen is available.
• Less efficient than aerobic respiration.

Importance of ATP Production

• Cyanide can block ATP production in the electron transport chain.
• Importance of mitochondria and research on mitochondrial diseases.

Conclusion

• Encourages further inquiry and understanding of cellular processes.