Describe and explain the process of aerobic respiration.

Aerobic respiration is the process by which cells generate energy in the presence of oxygen. It occurs in three main stages:

Glycolysis: This occurs in the cytoplasm where one molecule of glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate. This process produces a small amount of ATP and NADH.

Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle): In the mitochondria, each pyruvate is further broken down, releasing CO₂ and transferring high-energy electrons to NADH and FADH2. A small amount of ATP is also generated.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC): In the inner mitochondrial membrane, NADH and FADH2 donate electrons to the electron transport chain, which generates a proton gradient across the membrane. Oxygen is the final electron acceptor and combines with electrons and protons to form water. This process drives ATP synthesis through chemiosmosis, producing the majority of ATP in aerobic respiration.

Related Questions:

  1. Define enzyme and describe their characteristics and specifications.
  2. What is the energy of activation? Explain with reference to enzyme.
  3. What happens to enzymes when you increase or decrease: (a) Temperature (b) pH (c) Substrate concentration?
  4. Only the related key can open the lock. How is this fact true for enzymes? Explain with examples.
  5. Describe the structure and uses of ATP.
  6. Describe and sketch light reactions of photosynthesis.
  7. Describe and sketch dark reactions of photosynthesis?
  8. Explain the factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis.
  9. Compare respiration and photosynthesis with examples.
  10. What are the advantages and significance of anaerobic respiration and fermentation in your daily life?
  11. Why are enzymes called biological catalysts?
  12. Name the factors affecting enzyme activity. At what pH do pepsin and trypsin enzymes act the best?
  13. What happens to an enzyme when it is frozen below 0°C?
  14. What happens when a protein-digesting enzyme functions in an acidic medium?
  15. How does an enzyme lower the activation energy?
  16. Why are enzymes specific and why can’t each one speed up many different reactions?
  17. Why is a small quantity of enzyme enough for catalyzing a large number of substrate molecules into products?
  18. According to the induced fit model, the active site is flexible. Does it mean that any substrate can attach to this flexible active site? If not, then explain.
  19. Sketch the structure of ATP.
  20. Write the equation of: a) Photosynthesis b) Fermentation c) Aerobic respiration