What is the basic equation for cellular respiration?
Cellular respiration is a complex process that occurs within the mitochondria of
eukaryotic cells, converting organic molecules into ATP (adenosine triphosphate),
the universal energy currency of the cell. The basic equation for cellular respiration
is:
C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2 (oxygen) → 6CO2 (carbon dioxide) + 6H2O (water) + ATP
energy
In this equation, glucose and oxygen are the reactants, and carbon dioxide, water,
and ATP energy are the products. The overall process of cellular respiration is
divided into three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative
phosphorylation.
Glycolysis is the initial stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm of the
cell. Here, glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate, producing a small
amount of ATP and NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme involved
in cellular metabolism).
The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle, takes
place in the mitochondrial matrix. In this stage, pyruvate is further broken down into
carbon dioxide, generating more ATP and NADH.
Finally, oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane,
where NADH and a related coenzyme, FADH2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide), donate
electrons to a series of electron transport chains, producing a large amount of ATP
through chemiosmosis.
Overall, cellular respiration is a highly regulated and efficient process that provides
energy for all cellular functions. Altered cellular respiration can have significant
health implications, and dysregulation of cellular metabolism is implicated in a
number of diseases, including diabetes and cancer.
References:
- Campbell, N. A., & Reece, J. B. (2005). Biology (7th ed.). Benjamin Cummings.
- Lodish, H., Berk, A., Zipursky, S. L., Matsudaira, P., Baltimore, D., & Darnell, J. (2000).
Molecular Cell Biology (4th ed.). W. H. Freeman.