Breaking down of glucose

Question

    Think about the fact that some of the reactions that break down glucose occur in different parts of the cell than others. What possible explanations can you provide for this?

Answer 1

Hi...Shannon from Redford, MI...hope you had a great day at school.

Thanks for connecting with Wyzant...I am here to help.

 

So, your problem is dealing with glycolysis. As you probably learned that most all living things require some form of energy to existence. Living things get their nutrition from things that are consumed. Then through a process, those products are transformed into energy.

At the cellular level, that process is called glycolysis...or basically the breaking down of the glucose...a carbohydrate molecule into some form 2 molecules of pyruvate.

To do this, several other molecules are needed...ATP and NAD, which get transformed into ADP and NADH...which get turned back into ATP & NAD

Now glycolysis can happen in the presence of oxygen, which is called aerobic respiration and it can happen when there is little or no oxygen, which is called anaerobic respiration.

These are the ways glycolysis occurs. 

Now it can occur in a number ways in the cell. How far have you gotten into learning about glycolysis

Hope this helps....connect with me on Wyzant if you need further help

Answer 2

Glucose provides energy when it is being broken down.

 

Some tissues need more energy than others. 

 

In such tissues with higher energy demand, energy powerhouse (mitochondria) generate energy for biological work.

 

Therefore, tissues with  relatively higher are likely to have some cells with large number of mitochondria or glucose breakdown will occur simultaneously in mitochondria and cytoplasm.

 

Hope you find this helpful, please post again if you need additional information/clarification. 

 

Best,