How do cells release energy from food in the presence of oxygen

Cellular Respiration (Aerobic)

Explanation:

In the mitochondria, glucose (food) is broken down into into pyruvate and the electrons are harvested and then sent to the electron chain during glycolysis in the cytoplasm. Pyruvate in converted to Acetyl CoA and enters the Krebs Cycle in the mitochrondria, and produces NADH and ATP. NADH goes to the electron chain and releases electrons and turns into NAD+. The electron transport system is embedded in the membrane, and this system creates a Hydrogen ion gradient. ATP synthase creates ATP through oxidative phosphorylation, and is powered by the diffusion of the hydrogen ions. THe hydrogen ions combine with the electrons and an oxygen atom to form water. Without oxygen as the final acceptor, the mitochondria cannot produce ATP energy using the ATP synthase and is forced into anaerobic respiration. With oxygen, the mitochondria can perform normal aerobic respiration.