In what stage of cellular respiration is most of the carbon dioxide produced?

1 Answer
May 13, 2017

The Krebs Cycle

Explanation:

The Krebs cycle or the TCA cycle produces 2 CO2 for every 1 molecule of acetyl CoA.

This occurs in Step 3 and Step 4 of the Krebs cycle.

In Step 3, isocitrate is oxidized to become alpha-ketoglutarate by the rate-limiting enzyme, isocitrate dehydrogenase.

In Step 4, alpha-ketoglutarate undergoes a redox reaction, oxidizing to become succinyl-CoA, also releasing CO2 in the process.

Each step generates the coenzyme, NADH, an electron carrier which is going to be important in the next stage of cellular respiration, the electron transport chain.