In school, we’re taught the general balanced formula for aerobic respiration:
**C6H12O6** **+ 6O2** **→ 6CO2** **+ 6H2O (+ energy)**
Later, the idea of ATP as ‘energy’ is introduced.
If the above equation is balanced, then how on earth are we just getting another 36 molecules of ATP? How do we use that ATP to do useful, energy-comsuming things?
What in God’s name is the Kreb’s Cycle?? Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!
In: 6
Well, the good news is that your two questions are related (as I assume you already knew): the Krebs cycle is how humans can extract 32-36 ATP from a single glucose molecule! Essentially the Krebs cycle represents a series of small, stepwise reactions that our bodies do to the glucose, and each step breaks it down a tiny bit and releases a bit of energy. By doing this in steps, we maximize the amount of energy we are able to capture! This HIGHLY efficient process is why humans create 36 ATP per glucose.
Still not really clicking? Don’t fixate on the chemical formula, think about the type of chemical reaction: oxidation. The rapid oxidation of carbohydrates is a combustion reaction! As I’m sure you know, combustion reactions are very exothermic and release a lot of energy. The reaction equation you have written is very similar to burning octane, yes if I told you I was able to butn gasoline and use that energy you wouldn’t bat an eye. Our bodies do this very same thing, releasing a small amount of energy at a time and storing that energy as a molecule called ATP.
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