Aerobic Cellular Respiration: 3 Importance Stages of Aerobic Respiration:

Some of the importance stages of aerobic respiration are as follows:

(a) Glycolysis (b) Krebs Cycle (c) Electron Transport Chain.

Aerobic Respiration is the process by which the energy from glucose is released in the presence of oxygen. It takes place only if oxygen is available.

For instance, if glucose were oxidized, the result would be energy, carbon dioxide and water. Take a look at the chemical formula given below.

C6H12O6+ 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy (ATP)

In simple words, Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP)

In brief, aerobic respiration helps in release of maximum energy and also gets rid of carbon dioxide and excess water.

There are three stages of aerobic respiration as given below:

(a) Glycolysis:

Glycolysis takes place in the cytosol of the cell where in glucose is partially oxidized and is broken down into 3 carbon molecules of private. This process of glycolysis produces energy – 2 ATP molecules and 2 NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) molecules. Each NADH molecule carries 2 energy electrons. The cells later use these electrons.

(b) Krebs Cycle:

This is the next stage of aerobic cellular respiratory. In Krebs cycle, private molecules are processed to release the energy that is stored between their molecular bonds. The energy is released in the form of ATP. This cycle is also called as the citric acid cycle.

(c) Electron Transport Chain:

This is the final stage of aerobic cellular respiratory. Entire energy was not released from the glucose during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. In this stage of aerobic respiration, remaining energy from the glucose will be released by the electron transport chain. The network of electrons carrying proteins to the inner membrane of the cell is known as electron transport chain.

Eventually, in this stage the electrons along with the protons will be added to oxygen. When electrons and protons are added to oxygen, it produces water and not ATP (energy). Actually, when the protons are moved across the cell membrane, ATP is produced. This process is called as chemiosis.