Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is Released During which of the Following Stages of Cellular Respiration?
Cellular respiration is the process that occurs in living cells, which involves the conversion of energy in the form of glucose to ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This process involves three stages, namely glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. During cellular respiration, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released as a by-product, and it is important to understand the stage at which it is released.
The first stage of cellular respiration is glycolysis, which occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. This stage involves the breakdown of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, which also results in the production of two molecules of ATP. During glycolysis, carbon dioxide is not released as it still remains within the glucose molecule.
The next stage is the citric acid cycle, which occurs in the mitochondria of the cell. This stage involves the further breakdown of pyruvate to produce energy in the form of ATP. During the citric acid cycle, the pyruvate molecule enters the cycle and is converted into Acetyl CoA. This molecule then reacts with a molecule called oxaloacetate to form citrate. Citrate is then broken down further, releasing carbon dioxide in the process. Hence, during the citric acid cycle, carbon dioxide is released as a by-product.
The final stage of cellular respiration is the electron transport chain, which also occurs in the mitochondria of the cell. This stage involves the transfer of electrons from NADH and FADH2 molecules to oxygen, which results in the production of a large number of ATP molecules. During this stage, carbon dioxide is not released as it does not play any role in the electron transport chain.
In conclusion, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released during the citric acid cycle, which is the second stage of cellular respiration. This stage involves the further breakdown of pyruvate to release energy in the form of ATP, and carbon dioxide is released as a by-product of this process. Understanding the stages of cellular respiration is important as it provides insights into the energy production process in living cells.
