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Aerobic respiration
Aerobic respiration requires oxygen. It is the preferred method of pyruvate breakdown. It consists of two metabolic pathways:
In aerobic respiration, an electron is transferred from an energy-rich atom (such as a carbon atom in an organic molecule) to an oxygen atom, via an electron transport chain. Oxygen serves as the "terminal electron acceptor" in the electron transport chain. In the process, it yields 36 ATP molecules, as well as carbon dioxide, and water. This makes for a total gain of 38 ATP molecules during cellular respiration. This takes place in the mitochondria in eukaryotic cells, and at the cell membrane in prokaryotic cells.
See also Cellular respiration.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details