What happens to pyruvic acid when oxygen is present. The link reaction and the Krebs cycle in the matrix of the mitochondrion, then the electron transport system and the making of ATP on the inner membrane.
3 lessons, about 1 h 20 min3 simulations10 problems3 practice questionsPython in every lesson
Created by StemPy LabWith oxygen, pyruvic acid goes into the matrix of the mitochondrion. The link reaction turns it into acetyl CoA, with 1 carbon dioxide and 1 NADH. Acetyl CoA joins oxaloacetic acid in the Krebs cycle, which releases 2 carbon dioxide and forms 3 NADH, 1 FADH2 and 1 ATP in each turn.
The electron transport system lies in the inner membrane. NADH and FADH2 give electrons to complexes I and II, and the electrons pass through ubiquinone, complex III, cytochrome c and complex IV to oxygen, which becomes water. One NADH gives 3 ATP and one FADH2 gives 2 ATP.
Electrons passing along the chain drive protons across the inner membrane into the intermembrane space. The protons flow back through ATP synthase, whose F1 part makes ATP and whose F0 part is a channel. Two protons pass for each ATP. This is oxidative phosphorylation. Without oxygen the chain stops and ATP is not made.
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