CELL RESPIRATION Meaning and
Definition
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Cell respiration, also known as cellular respiration, refers to the metabolic process by which cells convert organic compounds, primarily glucose, into usable energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This process occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and involves several interconnected biochemical reactions.
Cell respiration can be divided into three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation. During glycolysis, glucose is converted into pyruvate, releasing a small amount of ATP and generating molecules that participate in subsequent stages. The pyruvate then enters the mitochondria and undergoes the Krebs cycle, where it is further broken down to produce ATP and high-energy molecules such as NADH and FADH2.
The final stage, oxidative phosphorylation, takes place on the inner mitochondrial membrane. The high-energy molecules produced in the previous stages donate their electrons to the electron transport chain, a series of protein complexes that generate a flow of electrons. This electron flow drives the pumping of protons across the inner membrane, establishing an electrochemical gradient. ATP synthase then utilizes this gradient to synthesize ATP, the main energy source for cellular processes.
Overall, cell respiration is a crucial process that allows cells to generate energy from glucose, thereby providing the necessary fuel for various cellular activities and maintaining the overall functioning and survival of living organisms.
Common Misspellings for CELL RESPIRATION
- xell respiration
- vell respiration
- fell respiration
- dell respiration
- cwll respiration
- csll respiration
- cdll respiration
- crll respiration
- c4ll respiration
- c3ll respiration
- cekl respiration
- cepl respiration
- ceol respiration
- celk respiration
- celp respiration
- celo respiration
- cell eespiration
- cell despiration
- cell fespiration
- cell tespiration
Etymology of CELL RESPIRATION
The word "cell respiration" is derived from the merging of two separate terms: "cell" and "respiration".
The term "cell" is derived from the Latin word "cella", meaning a small room or chamber. It was first used by Robert Hooke in the 17th century to describe the compartments he observed under a microscope, which resembled the small rooms of a monastery.
On the other hand, the term "respiration" comes from the Latin word "respirāre", which means "to breathe". It originally referred to the act of inhaling and exhaling air. Over time, the meaning of respiration expanded to include the breakdown of oxygen and the production of energy within an organism.
When combined, "cell respiration" refers to the process of breaking down glucose into energy in the cells of living organisms, which involves the use of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide.
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