3.

7 Cell Respiration
3.7.1 - Define cell respiration
The controlled release of energy from organic compounds in cells in the form of ATP

3.7.2 State that, in cell respiration, glucose in the cytoplasm is broken down by glycolysis
into pyruvate, with a small yield of ATP
Cells transfer energy by breaking down nutrients, mainly carbohydrates like glucose,
through the process of cell respiration. Plants synthesise these nutrients using sunlight in
photosynthesis, while heterotrophs will digest them from their food.
Cell respiration takes place in a number of steps, which helps to control the release of
energy. There are multiple enzymes which catalyse these reactions, and the energy is able
to be trapped in the molecule ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It is a nucleotide that carries
three phosphate groups. The nature of the molecule means that it is soluble and small
enough to pass through the cell membrane quite easily. It contains a lot of chemical energy
within its structure.
The first step is glycolysis, which takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell. Once broken
down, the glucose molecule (which has six carbon atoms) forms two pyruvate molecules
(each with three carbon atoms). A small yield of two molecules of ATP are produced.

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3.7.3 - Explain that, during anaerobic cell respiration, pyruvate can be converted in the
cytoplasm into lactate, or ethanol and carbon dioxide, with no further yield of ATP
Anaerobic respiration is also called fermentation (a process which is important in making
wine, beer, bread, etc). It occurs when there is no oxygen available.
Some organisms will still respire anaerobically, even when there is oxygen available. The
most important one is yeast, which has applications mentioned above.
+ +

When a vertebrate uses anaerobic respiration, it instead produces lactic acid (which then
ionises in the cell to form lactate). This will mainly take place in the muscle fibres during
high demand for energy.
+

The pyruvate remains in the cytoplasm and gets further broken down into lactate.
Anaerobic respiration can be seen as wasteful because only two molecules of ATP are
produced, making far less energy available to the cell after aerobic respiration.

Aerobic Respiration
2 ATPs
up to 36 ATPs
38 ATPs

glycolysis
fates of pyruvate
total

Anaerobic Respiration
2 ATPs
0
2 ATPs

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3.7.4 - Explain that, during aerobic cell respiration, pyruvate can be broken down in the
mitochondrion into carbon dioxide and water with a large yield of ATP
Aerobic respiration is summed up in the equation:
+ + +

In the first stage of respiration, glycolysis, two molecules of ATP are formed from two
molecules of ADP. The ATP is then used in other reactions for muscle movement,
condensation, and movement across the membrane. It may also react with water through
hydrolysis. During glycolysis, a glucose molecule in broken up into pyruvic acid, which then
becomes pyruvate ions. This takes place in the cytoplasm.

If there is available oxygen, the pyruvate is then oxidised into carbon dioxide. The pyruvate
moves into the mitochondria (organelles inside cells) by facilitated diffusion.

+ +

The pyruvate is oxidised by the removal of hydrogen atoms by hydrogen acceptors, and the
addition of oxygen to the carbon atoms to form carbon dioxide. The reduced hydrogen
acceptor molecules then react with oxygen to form water. ATP is produced in the process.

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