difference between glycolysis and krebs cycle

The Difference Between Glycolysis and Krebs Cycle

Introduction

Glycolysis and Krebs Cycle are both metabolic pathways that are essential to cellular respiration. They are involved in the breakdown of glucose to produce energy in the form of ATP. However, even though they share a common goal, there are significant differences between these two processes.

Table of Contents

Glycolysis

Glycolysis is the first stage of cellular respiration, and it takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell. It is an anaerobic process, meaning it does not require oxygen. Glycolysis begins with the breakdown of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate. During this process, a net gain of two molecules of ATP is produced, along with two molecules of NADH. Glycolysis is a relatively quick process and can occur in the absence of oxygen.

Krebs Cycle

Krebs Cycle, also known as the Citric Acid Cycle, takes place in the mitochondria of the cell. It is an aerobic process, meaning it requires oxygen. The Krebs cycle begins with the formation of Acetyl-CoA, which is derived from pyruvate. Acetyl-CoA enters the Krebs cycle and is broken down into carbon dioxide, ATP, and NADH. The Krebs Cycle is a slower process as compared to glycolysis and generates a significantly higher amount of ATP.

Key Differences

The primary difference between glycolysis and Krebs Cycle is the location where these processes take place. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm, while the Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondria. Furthermore, glycolysis is an anaerobic process, while the Krebs cycle is an aerobic process. Glycolysis produces a lower amount of ATP as compared to the Krebs cycle. However, glycolysis takes place much quicker than the Krebs cycle.

Conclusion

In summary, Glycolysis and Krebs Cycle are two essential metabolic pathways that play a crucial role in cellular respiration. They are responsible for breaking down glucose and providing the cell with energy in the form of ATP. Even though they share a common goal, the processes of glycolysis and Krebs Cycle are significantly different. Understanding these differences is crucial in understanding the metabolic processes of the body.

Table difference between glycolysis and krebs cycle

	Glycolysis	Krebs Cycle
Location	Cytoplasm	Matrix of the mitochondria
Type of Pathway	Anaerobic	Aerobic
Products	2 ATP, 2 NADH, 2 Pyruvate	2 ATP, 6 NADH, 2 FADH2, 4 CO2
Substrates	Glucose	Acetyl CoA
No. of Steps	10	8
Enzymes Involved	Hexokinase, Phosphofructokinase, Pyruvate Kinase, etc.	Citrate Synthase, Aconitase, Succinate Dehydrogenase, etc.