Muscle contraction requires a large amount of energy, meaning that a constant source of ATP is needed. In this article we will look at the three sources of ATP which muscle fibre cells can use. Phosphocreatine ATP has to be made by adding a phosphate group (Pi) to ADP. In the ATP-phosphocreatine system, the phosphate... Continue Reading →
Muscle fibre cells are a great example of how animal cells can be highly specialised for their function. In this article we will look at the structure of muscle fibre cells and how it relates to their function. Muscle fibres cells - structure and function The below diagram shows a cross-section of a muscle fibre... Continue Reading →
We've reached the final stage of aerobic respiration - oxidative phosphorylation. This step takes place using proteins in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Now we will find out what all the reduced NAD and reduced FAD produced in glycolysis, the link reaction, and the Krebs cycle is used for. Oxidative phosphorylation The coenzymes NAD and FAD... Continue Reading →
The Krebs cycle has many names. Sometimes it is called the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle or the citric acid cycle. But whatever name you give it, it's an important part of aerobic respiration. In the last article we covered the first two stages of aerobic respiration (glycolysis and the link reaction). We ended the link... Continue Reading →
I believe it is said in meme culture that the mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell. I'm not going to pretend to know why that is a meme, but there is some truth in it. The main function of the mitochondria is to carry out aerobic respiration (except the first stage) which produces adenosine... Continue Reading →
