Cellular Respiration Simplified Flow Charts

Cellular Respiration

Cellular Respiration Simplified Flow Charts

Last Update: November 2, 2024

The charts below show the Cellular_Respiration reaction pathway starting with Glucose.

• Version 1 Chart is a simple template 
• Version 2 Chart shows the cell locations of the reactions and the 2:1 molar relationship between Pyruvate and Glucose. 

Cellular_Respiration can be seen as a core metabolic hub, connecting various catabolic and anabolic pathways. 

For this reason, it’s sometimes described as Central Metabolism. 

Picture_Cellular_Respiration_Simplified_Flow_Chart Version 1

Picture_Cellular_Respiration_Simplified_Flow_Chart Version 2

I generated the following text (in quotations) using Google Gemeni:

“Cellular_respiration is a complex process that involves the breakdown of glucose to produce energy in the form of ATP. 

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of this process:

1. Glycolysis

• Glucose, a six-carbon sugar, is broken down into two three-carbon molecules of pyruvate.
• This process occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell and produces a net gain of 2 ATP molecules and 2 NADH molecules.  

2. Pyruvate Oxidation

• Pyruvate is transported into the mitochondria.
• Each pyruvate molecule is converted into acetyl-CoA, releasing carbon dioxide and NADH.

3. Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

• Acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle, a series of reactions that oxidizes the acetyl group to carbon dioxide.
• For each acetyl-CoA molecule, the cycle produces 2 carbon dioxide molecules, 3 NADH molecules, 1 FADH2 molecule, and 1 ATP molecule.

4. Oxidative Phosphorylation (Electron Transport Chain + Chemiosmosis)

• This is the final stage of cellular_respiration and occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
• NADH and FADH2, produced in the previous steps, donate electrons to an electron transport chain.  
• As electrons move through the chain, energy is released and used to pump protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient.  
• Protons flow back across the membrane through ATP synthase, driving the synthesis of ATP.
• Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in the chain, combining with protons to form water.

Overall, cellular_respiration is incredibly efficient, yielding a significant amount of ATP per glucose molecule. 

This energy is essential for various cellular processes, including muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and active transport.”

Refer to my Cellular Respiration series , linked below.  

• Cellular_Respiration (I) Overview
• Cellular_Respiration (II) Glycolysis
• Cellular_Respiration (III) Pyruvate to Acetyl CoA
• Cellular_Respiration (IV) Krebs Cycle
• Cellular_Respiration (V) Oxidative Phosphate Addition

Refer to these great references as well.

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