Final answer:
Aerobic respiration of glucose takes place in the mitochondria and yields approximately 32 ATP molecules. The reducing power comes from NADH and FADH2 produced during glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. These coenzymes transfer electrons to the electron transport chain to generate more ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
Location and ATP Yield in Aerobic Respiration
The breakdown of glucose by aerobic respiration occurs primarily in the mitochondria of the cell. This process requires oxygen and is divided into three main stages: glycolysis, citric acid cycle (or Krebs cycle), and electron transport chain. During glycolysis, which takes place in the cytoplasm, each glucose molecule is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate, yielding a net gain of 2 ATP molecules. The subsequent oxidation of pyruvate and the citric acid cycle occurs in the mitochondria, producing 2 GTP (which convert to ATP), 10 NADH, and 2 FADH2. These reduced coenzymes carry electrons to the electron transport chain, where they contribute to the generation of a proton gradient that fuels the synthesis of more ATP. It's estimated that complete aerobic respiration of glucose generates approximately 32 ATP molecules.
Reducing Power in Aerobic Respiration
The reducing power in aerobic respiration is attributed to the creation of reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2 during glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. These carriers shuttle high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain, which are then used to create a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The flow of protons back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase results in the production of ATP, capturing much of the nutrient's free energy into usable chemical form.