1. Glycolysis: This occurs in the cytoplasm and breaks down glucose (a six-carbon sugar) into two molecules of pyruvate (a three-carbon molecule). This process produces a small amount of ATP (the cell's energy currency) and NADH (an electron carrier).
2. Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle): This occurs in the mitochondria and further breaks down pyruvate into carbon dioxide, producing more ATP and electron carriers like NADH and FADH2.
3. Electron Transport Chain: This also occurs in the mitochondria and utilizes the electron carriers generated in the previous steps to generate a large amount of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
These three processes work together to extract energy from glucose and convert it into a usable form for the cell.
