during cellular respiration, the covalent bonds of a molecule are broken down to make products. which molecule is broken down?
During cellular respiration, glucose is the molecule that is broken down. It is the primary fuel molecule used by cells, and through a series of biochemical reactions, glucose is broken down to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
During cellular respiration, the molecule that is primarily broken down is glucose. Glucose is a carbohydrate commonly used by cells as an energy source. Through a series of metabolic reactions, glucose is oxidized, and its covalent bonds are broken down to produce several products, including ATP (adenosine triphosphate), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O).
During cellular respiration, the molecule that is broken down is glucose. Glucose is a carbohydrate and serves as the primary source of energy for cellular activities in most organisms.
To understand this process, it is essential to know that cellular respiration consists of several stages, namely glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle), and the electron transport chain. Here's a brief explanation of how glucose is broken down:
1. Glycolysis: This is the initial step of cellular respiration, where glucose is partially broken down into two molecules of pyruvate. Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm and does not require oxygen.
2. Krebs cycle: After glycolysis, the pyruvate molecules are transported into the mitochondria, where each pyruvate undergoes the Krebs cycle. During this stage, each pyruvate is fully oxidized, releasing carbon dioxide as a waste product. Furthermore, energy-rich molecules like NADH and FADH2 are produced.
3. Electron transport chain: The NADH and FADH2 molecules, produced in the Krebs cycle, donate their high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. As these electrons pass through a series of protein complexes, they produce a flow of protons (H+ ions). The flow of protons drives the synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary energy currency of cells.
Overall, glucose is broken down step-by-step through this series of reactions during cellular respiration, releasing energy that is used to produce ATP and other byproducts such as carbon dioxide and water.