7.2 - Aerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration involves the oxidation of glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy. Organisms that can perform aerobic respiration are called aerobic organisms.

Glycolysis is the primary process in aerobic respiration. It is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate. This process occurs in the cytoplasm of the cells. One molecule of glucose can produce two molecules of pyruvate. Pyruvate is then further oxidized to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy in the mitochondria. A large portion of energy is used to make ATP from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate.

A complete oxidation of glucose will produce high amount of energy (2898 kJ/38 ATP molecules).

Figure 2 - Energy is stored within the covalent bonds between the phosphates. When the bond is broken, energy released is used by body cells to carry out everyday activities. ATP and ADP are constantly being recycled.