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Using Models to Understand Cellular Respiration1

A scientific model is a simplified representation of reality that highlights certain key features of a process such as
cellular respiration. Scientific models can help us understand how cellular respiration produces ATP.

One model of cellular respiration shows

chemical equations that summarize the
inputs and outputs of cellular respiration.
The curved arrows represent coupled
chemical reactions; the top reaction provides
the energy needed for the bottom reaction.

1. Describe in words what these equations tell us about cellular respiration.

Cellular respiration needs energy provided by glucose to transform ADP and P into ATP.

2a. Add another curved arrow to the above chemical equations to show hydrolysis of ATP.

2b. Explain why hydrolysis of ATP is useful.

When a molecule of ATP is hydrolyzed, energy is released to be used by the cell.

This figure shows

another model of
cellular respiration. It
focuses on the three
main stages of cellular
respiration.
CO2 O2
3. To describe each
stage of cellular
respiration, choose the
best matches (one per
blank). (Use one of the H2O
matches twice.)

Glycolysis C
Krebs cycle B
Electron transport
chain +
ATP synthase B A
a. Makes most of the ATP produced by cellular respiration
b. Occurs in mitochondria (plural of mitochondrion)
c. Uses glucose as an input

4. The figure does not show most of the inputs and outputs of cellular respiration. Add the missing inputs and
outputs to the figure. (The electron transport chain needs O2 as input and produces H2O. The Krebs cycle produces
CO2.)

5. Explain why mitochondria are often called the powerhouse of the cell.
Mitochondria are often called the powerhouse of the cell because they transform energy into a usable form (ATP).

1 Bystudy
This Dr. Ingrid
sourceWaldron, Dept Biology,
was downloaded Univ Pennsylvania,
by 100000876502147 © 2019.
from This Studenton
CourseHero.com Handout (and 14:20:56
12-06-2023 a longer, more
GMT complete
-06:00 version) and Teacher Notes (with background
information and instructional suggestions) are available at https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/bioactivities/modelCR. This activity is intended to follow "How do
organisms use energy?" (https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/bioactivities/energy).
https://www.coursehero.com/file/167986710/Using-Models-to-Understand-Cellular-Respiration-Shortdocx/
 6a. What are some features of cellular respiration that are shown in both the chemical equation and the figure on
page 1?
The chemical equation and figure highlight important features of cellular respiration, which is a complex process.

6b. Different types of models have different advantages for understanding cellular respiration. In the table below,
describe an advantage of each type of model. How does this type of model contribute to your understanding of
cellular respiration?

The chemical equation shows the molecules/atoms as inputs and outputs.

An advantage of
the chemical
equations

The figure shows a step by step model of cellular respiration.

An advantage of
the figure

7. List each type of input molecule that is required for cellular respiration, and state whether the molecule comes
mainly from outside the cell or inside the cell. For each type of input molecule, explain how the body gets this
molecule or explain how this molecule is regenerated inside each cell.
Source: Outside
Input How the Body Gets this Molecule or
or Inside the
Molecule How this Molecule is Regenerated Inside Each Cell
Cell
Oxygen Outside By breathing.

Glucose Outside The body gets glucose from eating food.

ADP + P Inside ADP and P are regenerated through the hydrolysis of ATP.

8. Use what you have learned to construct a model of cellular respiration in this drawing of a cell with a
mitochondrion. (In an actual cell there are many mitochondria.) Write the three stages of cellular respiration in the
appropriate blanks. Label each arrow with an appropriate input or output.
Complete by hand and copy/paste a picture OR use Google Draw to edit diagram and insert here.

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 Glucose

2 ADP/P
ADP
Glycolysis Oxygen
Krebs Cycle
2 ADP

ATP
Water

CO2 25 ATP

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