Chapter: Life Processes in Living Organisms Part 1· Science & Technology Part 2
Glycolysis breaks glucose into pyruvic acid in the cytoplasm, while the TCA (Krebs) cycle completely oxidises acetyl-CoA to \(\mathrm{CO_2}\) in the mitochondria.
| Glycolysis | TCA cycle (Krebs cycle) |
|---|---|
| Takes place in the cytoplasm. | Takes place in the mitochondria (matrix). |
| Occurs in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration. | Occurs only in aerobic respiration. |
| Starting molecule is glucose (6-carbon). | Starting molecule is acetyl-CoA (2-carbon), which combines with oxaloacetic acid. |
| It is a linear chain of reactions. | It is a cyclic process. |
| End product is pyruvic acid; no \(\mathrm{CO_2}\) is released. | Acetyl group is completely oxidised; \(\mathrm{CO_2}\) is released. |
| Per glucose: 2 ATP (net) and 2 NADH2. | Per glucose (2 turns): 2 ATP, 6 NADH2 and 2 FADH2. |