Cellular respiration is how our bodies turn sugar (glucose) into energy. This process happens in three main steps:

1. Glycolysis:

   • This step happens in a part of the cell called the cytoplasm.
   • Here, one glucose molecule (which is made up of 6 carbon, 12 hydrogen, and 6 oxygen atoms) is broken down into two smaller pieces called pyruvate.
   • During this step, the cell makes 2 units of energy called ATP and 2 molecules of something called NADH.

2. Krebs Cycle:

   • This step takes place in a part of the cell called the mitochondrial matrix.
   • For every glucose that goes through this cycle, the cell gets 2 ATP, 6 NADH, and 2 FADH₂.

3. Electron Transport Chain:

   • This step is found in the inner membrane of the mitochondria.
   • Here, the cell produces about 32 to 34 ATP by using electrons from NADH and FADH₂.

In total, from one glucose molecule, our bodies can make about 36 to 38 units of energy (ATP).