Describe the main catabolic pathways and their locations in
aerobic respiration.
The chemical pathways that breakdown the large and complex substances into simpler ones are called catabolic pathways.
Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are the main nutrient types present in the food.
Catabolism of carbohydrates: Nearly all the carbohydrates are catabolized by the process of cellular respiration. It includes splitting of the polysaccharides into monosaccharides which in turn enter the glycolytic reactions at any step. Glycolysis forms two molecules of pyruvate per glucose molecule. Pyruvate enters into the citric acid cycle in the form of acetyl CoA and is completely oxidized into CO2 and H2O. A large part of the energy is stored in NADH and FADH2 which enter into the electron transport chain and drive the ATP synthesis by oxidative phosphorylation. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm while the citric acid cycle and electron transport chain occur in mitochondria.
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