Glycolysis Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell and involves the breakdown of one molecule of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate. This process results in a net gain of two ATP molecules and two NADH molecules.
The Krebs Cycle The pyruvate molecules generated from glycolysis are transported into the mitochondria, where they undergo further breakdown in the Krebs cycle. This cycle produces carbon dioxide, NADH, FADH2, and a small amount of ATP.
Electron Transport Chain (ETC) The NADH and FADH2 produced from the previous stages donate electrons to the electron transport chain, which is located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The flow of electrons through the ETC creates a proton gradient that drives the synthesis of ATP through a process known as oxidative phosphorylation.
