General Biology 1

Quarter 2 – Module 3:
When Cells Breathe:
The Cellular Respiration
in Action
General Biology 1 – Senior High School
Quarter 1 – Module 3: The Cell Cycle and Division
First Edition, 2020

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General Biology 1
Quarter 2 – Module 3:
When Cells Breathe:
The Cellular Respiration
in Action
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use
this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while
allowing them to manage their own learning at home. Furthermore, you are
expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included
in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different activities
in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be reminded of
the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module,
do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that
you are not alone. We hope that through this material, you will experience
meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant
competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn
To continue with life, organisms require energy. Cells need energy to
grow and reproduce, maintain themselves and respond to their external
environment. The sun being the ultimate source of energy that powers life
radiates its energy in the form of an electromagnetic waves.

Animals get their energy from the food they eat. Much of this energy is
stored in the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. But before this energy can be
consume by the organism , it is transferred to ATP.

In this module you will study the different processes involved in energy
transformation. This module will 8 provide you with information and simple
activities that will help you understand how this stored energy is utilized by
means of cellular respiration.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. differentiate aerobic from anaerobic respiration (STEM_BIO-11/12-

11a-j-6);

2. explain the major feature and sequence the chemical events of

cellular respiration (STEM_BIO11/12-11a-j-7);

3. compare aerobic with anaerobic respiration;

4. identify the major stages of cellular respiration;

5. describe each stages of cellular respiration;

6. construct a flow chart showing the different stages of cellular

respiration.

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 Let Us Try
Let us see what you already know and what to know more about the
cellular respiration by taking this pre-assessment questions.

CHOOSE THE BEST!

Direction: Choose the best answer to the following multiple-choice questions

in this module. Write the correct answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following shows the difference between aerobic and

anaerobic respiration?

a. Aerobic makes 2 ATP, anaerobic makes 36 ATP

b. Aerobic uses oxygen, anaerobic does not
c. Aerobic uses sugar, anaerobic does not
d. Anaerobic uses oxygen, aerobic does not

2. Which of the following statement is most correct?

a. Aerobic respiration occurs with oxygen and makes 36 ATP

b. Aerobic respiration occurs without oxygen and makes 2 ATP.
c. Anaerobic respiration occurs with oxygen and makes 36 ATP.
d. Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen and makes 36 ATP.

3. What are the products of Krebs Cycle?

a. Carbon dioxide c. NADH

b. FADH2 d. all of the above

4. In eukaryotic cells most ATP are produced in

a. cytoplasm c. nucleus
b. mitochondria d. rough endoplasmic reticulum

5. In aerobic respiration carbohydrates are ultimately broken down into:

a. Acetyl - CoA c. H2O

b. CO2 d. O2

6. Products of glycolysis include:

a. ATP c. pyruvate
b. NADH d. all of the above

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7. The net result of the breakdown of glucose in glycolysis and
fermentation is the production of

a. 2 ATP c. 38 ATP
b. 36 ATP d. NADH

8. Which stage of aerobic respiration requires ATP?

a. Electron Transport Chain c. Glycolysis

b. Fermentation d. Krebs Cycle

9. Which stage of aerobic respiration requires CO2?

a. Electron Transport Chain c. Krebs Cycle

b. Glycolysis d. None of the Above

10. Which stage of aerobic respiration produces ATP and NADH and
release CO2?

a. Electron Transport Chain c. Glycolysis

b. Fermentation d. Krebs Cycle

11. The first step in releasing the energy of glucose in the cell is
known as
a. Alcoholic Fermentation
b. Electron Transport Chain
c. Glycolysis
d. Lactic Acid Fermentation

12. Because fermentation takes place in the absence of oxygen, it is

said to be

a. Aerobic
b. Anaerobic
c. Cyclic
d. Essential to oxygen production

13. The electron transport chain uses the high – energy electron
from the Krebs cycle to

a. Chloroplast
b. Cytoplasm
c. Mitochondria
d. Golgi Bodies

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14. The electron transport chain uses the high – energy electrons
from the Krebs Cycle to

a. convert ADP to ATP

b. produce acetyl-CoA
c. Produce glucose
d. Produce GTP

15. A total of 36 molecules of ATP are produced from 1 molecule of

glucose as a result of

a. Alcoholic fermentation
b. Cellular respiration
c. Glycolysis
d. Krebs Cycle

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 Let Us Study
LESSON

1 CELLULAR RESPIRATION

Eating It Up

Let’s use these materials:

Pen, paper, and an illustration of a person eating m

Let’s do it this way:

1. Analyze the given picture below (Figure 1) and answer the guide
questions after.

2. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

Guide Question:

1. How is your meal going to provide you energy to survive and thrive
throughout the day’s activity?

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Cellular Respiration
After Photosynthesis process in plants, its products are utilized in
cellular respiration. In cellular respiration, glucose is converted into a pyruvic
acid which can enter in either aerobic or anaerobic respiration.
The metabolic process that require oxygen to produce ATP are called
aerobic respiration. Most of it occurs in the mitochondria of the cell. On the
other hand, metabolic process that requires no oxygen at all are called
anaerobic respiration.
Table 1. Comparison Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration
Aerobic Anaerobic
Presence of Oxygen Yes No
Site of Reactions Cytoplasm, cytoplasm
Mitochondria
Cells That Use It Most cells Prokaryotes, yeast,
muscle cells
Stages Involved Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, Glycolysis
Electron Transport
Chain
Energy Released 36 – 38 molecules of 2 molecules of ATP per
ATP per 1 mol of 1 mol of glucose
glucose
Main Function Produces energy (ATP) Produces energy when
from food intake oxygen is absent

Cellular respiration is the process cells use to obtain energy in organic

compounds, specifically glucose. The breakdown of glucose during cellular
respiration can be represented using the equation:

C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H20 + energy

Oxygen Carbon
glucose water ATP
gas dioxide

Figure 1 shows that cellular respiration starts in the cytoplasm of the

cell. It occurs in two stages. First, glucose is broken down to pyruvate in the
process called glycolysis. Then, pyruvate enters either aerobic or anaerobic
depending on the presence of oxygen. If oxygen is present, pyruvate undergoes
aerobic respiration producing 36 molecules of ATP through a series of
chemical reaction known as the Citric Acid Cycle or Krebs Cycle and Electron
Transport Chain. Absence of oxygen means that the pyruvate will undergo
anaerobic respiration.

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 Figure 1. Overview on The Cellular Respiration

The Phases of Aerobic Respiration

Glycolysis

Figure 2. Glycolysis

The first of reactions in cellular respiration is glycolysis. Glycolysis is

an enzyme – assisted anaerobic process wherein a molecule of glucose is
broken down producing two molecules of pyruvic acid.

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 As glucose is broken down, some of its hydrogen atoms are transferred
to an electron acceptor called NAD+. This forms an electron carrier called
NADH. In order for cellular respiration to continue, the electron carried by
NADH are eventually donated to other compounds which then recycles NAD+,
thus, making it available to accept more electrons.
Glycolysis make use of two ATP molecule but produces four ATP
molecules, yielding a net gain of two ATP molecules.

Krebs Cycle
When oxygen is present, the pyruvic acid that is produced in glycolysis
will enter the second stage of cellular respiration, namely, the Krebs Cycle.
Krebs cycle is a series of chemical reactions that take place in the presence of
oxygen inside the matrix of the mitochondrion. During the Krebs cycle, the
pyruvic acid is broken down into carbon dioxide using series of energy –
extracting reactions.
This cycle begins when the Acetyl – CoA combines with a four – carbon
compound, forming a six – carbon compound and releasing coenzyme A (see
Figure 3. The Krebs Cycle). Acetyl – CoA then adds the two – carbon acetyl
group to a four – carbon molecule, producing a six – carbon molecule called
Citric Acid. This citric acid is then broken down into a four – carbon molecule
called oxaloacetic acid thus, more carbon dioxide is being released, and the
electrons are being transferred to energy carriers. Through a series of
reactions, the four – carbon molecule is converted to oxaloacetic acid. The
oxaloacetic acid will pick up another acetyl group to start the cycle again. One
molecule of acetyl – CoA produces one molecule of ATP, three molecules of
NADH, and a molecule of FADH2 (Flavin adenine dinucleotide) with every turn
of Krebs Cycle.
Since there are two molecules of pyruvic acid that will enter Krebs cycle,
the cycle is expected to turn “twice,” thus, for the two molecules a total of 6
NADH, 2 FADH2, and ATPs are produced. The process results in the release
of 4 molecules of CO2 as by – products.
Below are the summary of products for every glucose molecule that goes
through glycolysis and the Krebs Cycle:
1. 4 molecules of ATP

2. 10 molecules of NADH

3. 2 molecules of FADH2

4. 6 molecules of CO2

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 Figure 3. The Krebs
Cycle

What happens to these Krebs Cycle products? First, the Carbon Dioxide
that is released is the same carbon dioxide being released when we exhale
gas. Next, the ATP that is produced can be used for cellular activities. But
what will cells do with all those high - energy electrons in carriers like NADH?
With the presence of oxygen, these electrons can be utilized to produce large
amount of ATP molecule.
Electron Transport Chain
The Krebs Cycle generates high – energy electrons that are passed to
electron carriers NADH and FADH2. From the carriers, these electrons will
then be passed on to electron transport chain which is in the inner membrane
of the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.
ETC or Electron Transport Chain is the last stage of aerobic cellular
respiration. It is a series of electron carriers existing in an oxidized form.
Electrons pass across carrier molecules in a series of exergonic redox
reactions. In eukaryotes, the electron transport chain is composed of a series
of carrier proteins located in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion. In
prokaryotes, the same chain is in the cell membrane. High – energy electrons
are passed from one protein carrier to the next. At the end of the electron
transport chain is an enzyme that combine these electrons with hydrogen ions

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and oxygen to form water. Oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor of the
electron transport chain. Thus, oxygen is essential for getting rid of low –
energy electrons and hydrogen ions both wastes of cellular respiration.
Whenever two high – energy electrons transport down the electron
transport chain, their energy is used to transport hydrogen ions (H +) across
the membrane. During electron transport, H+ ions build up in the
intermembrane space, making it positively charged. The other side of the
membrane, from which those H+ ions have been taken is now negatively
charged.
The entire process of aerobic respiration can produce an estimated 36
ATP molecules. This process produces the most number of ATP as compound
to Krebs cycle and fermentation, respectively, from the breakdown of food.

Figure 4. Electron Transport Chain

Anaerobic Respiration
What happens when there is not enough oxygen for aerobic respiration
to occur? When oxygen is not present, glycolysis is followed by a different
pathway. Even with the absence of oxygen, food molecules obtain by the body
is capable of releasing ATP. The process of releasing energy from glucose
molecule in the absence of oxygen is called fermentation.
During fermentation, cells convert NADH to NAD+ , by passing high –
energy electrons back to pyruvic acid which allow glycolysis to continue
producing a steady supply of ATP.

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 There are two types of fermentation: alcoholic fermentation and lactic
acid fermentation.
Alcoholic Fermentation
In some organisms such as Yeast, a three – carbon pyruvate is broken
to ethyl alcohol (ethanol), a two – carbon compound, through alcoholic
fermentation and releasing carbon dioxide as a waste during the process. The
equation used to represent alcoholic fermentation after glycolysis is:
Pyruvic acid + NADH → alcohol + O2 + NAD+
Alcoholic fermentation causes bread dough to rise. When yeast in the
dough runs out of oxygen of oxygen, it begins to ferment, giving off bubbles of
carbon dioxide that form the air spaces that we can see in sliced bread. The
small amount of alcohol produced in the dough evaporates when the bread is
baked.

Figure 5. Alcoholic fermentation

Lactic Acid Fermentation

In many cells, the pyruvic acid that accumulates as a result of glycolysis
can be converted to a three – carbon lactate through the process of Lactic Acid
Fermentation. This process regenerates NAD+ so that glycolysis can continue.
The equation for lactic acid fermentation after glycolysis is:

Pyruvic acid + NADH → lactic acid + NAD+

NADH directly reduces pyruvic acid to a lactic acid without the release
of CO2 in this kind of anaerobic respiration. This type of fermentation is
performed by some bacteria and yeast, which is used producing dairy
products.

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 Figure 6. Lactic Acid Fermentation

In human, lactic acid fermentation occurs during rapid exercise and the
body fails to supply much needed oxygen to the different tissues. Without
oxygen, the body will not be able to produce the required amount of ATP.
When vigorous exercises are done the muscle cells rapidly begin to produce
ATP by lactic acid fermentation. The build up of lactic acid causes the painful,
burning sensation we felt every time intense activity is done.
Unicellular organisms also produce lactic acid as a waste product
during fermentation. Some prokaryotes are being used in the production of
wide varieties of foods and beverages such as cheese, yogurt, sour cream,
pickles and Kimchi.

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 Let Us Practice
Activity 1: Labelling

Let’s use these materials:

pen, paper

Let’s do it this way:

A. Directions: Label the three main events in cellular respiration.

1. 2. 3.

1. ________________

2. ________________

3. ________________

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B. Directions: Cite the major features of the following stages of cellular
respiration.

1. Glycolysis - _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

2. Krebs Cycle -________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

3. Electron Transport Chain -__________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

4. Alcoholic Fermentation – ____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

5. Lactic Acid Fermentation – __________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

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 Let Us Practice More

Activity 2
Let’s use these materials:
pen, paper
Let’s Do it this way:
Direction: The diagram below depicts the pathways of cellular respiration.
Rectangles denotes substances involved in cellular respiration and ovals
denote processes. Identify the processes by writing the correct term in each
blank.

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 Let Us Remember
Cellular respiration is the process by which the chemical energy of
molecules derived from the food that we eat is released and is partially
captured in the form of ATP. The glucose that is derived from foods is
converted into pyruvic acid either through aerobic or anaerobic respiration.

Aerobic respiration is divided into three metabolic processes namely

Glycolysis, The Krebs Cycle, and Electron Transport Chain where each of
them occurs in the specific region of the cell. Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol
of the cell followed by The Krebs Cycle that occurs in the matrix in the
mitochondria and Electron Transport Chain in the mitochondrial membrane.

Even if there is an absence of oxygen, molecules from food can still be

utilized to produce and release ATP molecules through anaerobic respiration.
There are two kinds of anaerobic respiration: alcoholic fermentation and lactic
acid fermentation. These two are useful in industries such as wine production
and food preservation.

Let Us Assess
Assessment
Let’s Do it this way:

A. Choose the best answer to the following multiple-choice questions in

this module. Write the correct answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following organelles present in the cell is associated with

cellular respiration?

a. Chloroplast c. Mitochondrion
b. Cytoplasm d. Ribosome

2. How many ATP molecules are produced in one round of Krebs Cycle?

a. 2 c. 6
b. 4 d. 8

3. How many ATP molecules are produced from a pair of electrons

delivered by FADH2 to the electron transport chain?

a. 0 c. 2
b. 1 d. 3

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4. Which of the following is not a product of glycolysis?

a. CO2 c. ATP
b. NADH d. Pyruvate

5. Where does Krebs cycle occur?

a. matrix c. outer membrane

inner membrane d. intermembrane space

6. What is the resulting six – carbon molecule in the Krebs cycle?

a. Citrate c. Oxaloacetate
b. Malate d. Pyruvate

7. In the absence of oxygen, to which is pyruvate converted?

a. Alcohol c. Lactic acid

b. CO2 d. Both a and c

8. Why is fermentation important for a cell?

a. It oxidizes pyruvate
b. It oxidizes NADH to NAD+
c. It produces ATP
d. It produces glucose for the cell.

9. In aerobic respiration, which compound is final acceptor of electron?

a. Carbon dioxide c. glucose

b. Carbon monoxide d. oxygen

10. Which organelle in plant cells is the counterpart of

mitochondria?

a. Centriole c. Rough ER
b. Chloroplast d. lysosomes

11. Anaerobic pathways that oxidize glucose to generate ATP energy

by using organic molecule as ultimate hydrogen acceptor are called

a. Electron Transport Chain c. Krebs Cycle

b. Fermentation d. Oxidation – Reduction

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12. During heavy exercise, the buildup of lactic acid in muscle cells
results in

a. alcoholic fermentation c. Krebs Cycle

b. Calvin Cycle d. Oxygen debt

13. The process that releases energy from food in the presence of
oxygen is

a. ATP synthase c. Fermentation

b. Cellular respiration d. Photosynthesis

14. The net gain of energy from glycolysis is

a. 2 ATP molecules c. 8 ATP molecules

b. 4 ATP molecules d. 3 pyruvic acid molecules

15. In cells, the energy available in food is used to make an energy –

rich compound called

a. ADP c. glucose
b. ATP d. water

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 Let Us Enhance
Activity - Diagram Making
Let’s Do It This way

1. Construct a diagram showing the overall process of Cellular

Respiration. Your output will be graded based on the following
rubrics.
Criteria for Diagram Making

5 4 3 2
Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning
Concept Each section of the Each section of the Each section of the Diagram contains
Arrangement diagram contains diagram contains diagram contains few facts and are
all the facts easily five facts easily four facts easily not easily identified
identified identified identified
Primary Source Students exhibits Students illustrates Students displays a Students shows
Content mastery of the a firmer limited little or no
material as understanding of understanding with understanding of
evidenced by most of the some details the topic
attention to detail similarities and pertinent to the
differences subject matter.
Linking Content Reflects factual Most of the Reflects some Contains non
Together information that information is factual information factual information
corresponds with factual and and attempts to that does not
appropriate section seemingly put it in correspond to the
of the diagram. corresponds with corresponding appropriate section
appropriate section section of diagram of the diagram.
of diagram
Total

Let Us Reflect
Activity 3 – 2 – 1 Chart
Let’s Do It This Way

Accomplish the 3 – 2 – 1 chart below. Write your answer in a separate sheet

of paper.

things I learned in this lesson

3
things I thought was interesting in this lesson
2
question I still have regarding this lesson

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 20
Let Us Assess Lesson 1)
1. c 6. c 11. b
2. a 7. d 12. d
3. c 8. c 13.b
4. a 9. d 14.a
5. a 10. b 15. c
Let Us Try (Lesson 1)
1. b 6. d 11. c
2. a 7. a 12. b
3. d 8. c 13.c
4. b 9. d 14.a
5. b 10. d 15. b
Answer Key
 References

Printed Materials

Abistado, J., Valdoz, M., Aquino, M., and Bascara M., Science
Links: Worktext in Science and Technology, Quezon
City: Rex Bookstore, 2014.
Evangelista,Luisito T., General Biology 1 For Senior High School
C&E Publishing, 2017.
Johnson, G & Raven, P. Holt Biology. Texas: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston – A Harcourt Education Company, 2005.
Miller & Levine, Biology, New Jersey. Pearson Prentice
Hall, 2004.
Electronic Sources
Urry, L., Cain, M., Minorsky, P., Wasserman, S., Reece, J. 2017.
Campbell Biology 11th Edition. New York. Pearson
Education Inc.

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