Respiration in Cells

Types of Respiration

• Aerobic Respiration: Involves oxygen.
• Anaerobic Respiration: Occurs without oxygen.
• Both types involve the transfer of electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors through a series of redox reactions.

Glycolysis and Electron Carriers

• Glycolysis forms:
  • 10 molecules of NADH
  • 2 molecules of FADH2
• Rebalancing of these molecules is necessary for glycolysis and the citric acid cycle to continue.

Electron Transport in Cells

• Eukaryotic Cells: Reactions occur within the mitochondria.
• Prokaryotic Cells: Electron carriers are embedded in the cytoplasmic membrane.
• Electrons lose energy as they are transferred through the chain, which is used to pump protons across the membrane.

Proton Motive Force

• Energy Utilization:
  • The outer cell becomes more electrically positive and acidic.
  • The inner cell becomes more electrically negative and alkaline.
• Generates proton motive force.
  • Powers processes like ion transport, flagella rotation, and ATP formation through chemiosmosis.

Why a Series of Reactions?

• The stepwise release of energy prevents damage:
  • Analogy: Descending stairs step by step vs. jumping from the top to avoid injury.
• Prevents heat buildup near the membrane, which can be damaging to lipids.

Upcoming Content

• Each step of the process will be detailed in subsequent slides.