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- Is this where ATP, NADH, and FADH2 get produced?
- Yup! More carbon dioxide is released as well.
- In the citric acid cycle, also known as Krebs cycle, the acetyl CoA combines with a four-carbon molecule and goes through a cycle of reactions to regenerate the four-carbon starting molecule.
- What are their "empty" forms?
- Their "empty" forms are NAD+ and FAD
- In the last stage, oxidative phosphorylation, The NADH and FADH2 deposit their electrons in the electron transport chain, and turn back into their "empty" forms.
- Then what do the protons do?
- They flow back into the matrix through an enzyme called ATP synthase which uses the protein gradient created by ETC to synthesize ATP.
- As electrons move down the chain, energy is released and used to pump protons out of the matrix, forming a gradient.
- Wow!
- At the end of the electron transport chain, oxygen accepts electrons and takes up protons to form water. Up to 38 molecules of ATP can be produced. The final equation is:C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6H20 + 6C02
- I have one last question. Can any of these stages take place without oxygen?
- That's a great question. Glycolysis can in fact take place without oxygen in a process called fermentation, since it is anaerobic. The other stages however, require oxygen in order to occur.
- Thanks for explaining that to me! I found it really interesting!
- It definitely is interesting, and my pleasure!
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