Cellular Respiration
The oxidation of nutrients within cells to release energy as ATP.
Formula / equation
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O
Unit
kJ/mol
In depth
Aerobic respiration proceeds through glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, yielding around 30 ATP per glucose. The energy is captured gradually in small steps rather than released as heat, which is what makes the process biologically useful.
Examples in the real world
Mitochondria generating ATP by chemiosmosis across the inner membrane; yeast respiring anaerobically to ethanol.