The Four Stages in Aerobic Respiration (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Biology): Revision Note
Exam code: 9700
The four stages in aerobic respiration
Glucose is the main respiratory substrate used by cells
Aerobic respiration is the process of breaking down a respiratory substrate in order to produce ATP using oxygen
The process of aerobic respiration using glucose can be split into four stages
Each stage occurs at a particular location in a eukaryotic cell:
Glycolysis takes place in the cell cytoplasm
The Link reaction takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria
The Krebs cycle takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria
Oxidative phosphorylation occurs at the inner membrane of the mitochondria
Stage | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
1. Glycolysis | Phosphorylation and splitting of glucose | Cell cytoplasm |
2. Link reaction | Decarboxylation and dehydrogenation of pyruvate | Mitochondrial matrix |
3. Krebs cycle | Cyclical pathway with enzyme-controlled reactions | Mitochondrial matrix |
4. Oxidative phosphorylation | Production of ATP through oxidation of hydrogen atoms | The inner membrane of mitochondria |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
It’s important to know the exact locations of each stage. It is not enough to say the Krebs cycle takes place in the mitochondria, you need to say it takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria.
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