Respiritation — Introduction to Respiration and Coenzymes + 5 more topics

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels

Your cells use mitochondria to get most of their energy from the food you eat. It's a double-membraned organelle, meaning it has two distinct layers.

Photo by Steve A Johnson on Pexels

Photo by Santhosh Kanthala on Pexels

The cycle starts with acetyl-CoA, a two-carbon molecule derived from pyruvate (from carbohydrates) or fatty acid breakdown. This acetyl-CoA combines with a four-carbon molecule, oxaloacetate, to form a six-carbon molecule, citrate, which gives the cycle its alternative name. Through a series of eight enzyme-catalyzed reactions, citrate is progressively oxidized, releasing two molecules of CO2, regenerating oxaloacetate, and producing energy carriers.

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels