Summary
Cellular respiration is a fundamental metabolic process that converts the chemical energy of organic fuels into ATP, which powers cellular activities. It occurs in several stages—glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation—each contributing to the overall energy yield. Through electron transport and chemiosmosis, a proton gradient is established and harnessed to synthesize ATP. Under anaerobic conditions, fermentation allows for continued ATP production at a lower yield. The integration of these pathways also supports biosynthetic processes, linking energy production to the creation of essential cellular components.