Cellular Respiration Diagram Generator: Stages

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Tool overview

Explore the use cases, workflow, and key things to know.

Locate each stage

Keep cytosol, matrix and inner mitochondrial membrane distinct.

Follow carbon and electrons

Add the link reaction and connect NADH/FADH₂ to oxidative phosphorylation.

Use ATP yields with context

Label estimates per glucose and avoid presenting one number as universal.

Labeled teaching reference

Labeled cellular respiration diagram: stages and compartments

This cellular respiration diagram models aerobic glucose breakdown in a eukaryotic cell. Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol; pyruvate oxidation and most Krebs-cycle reactions occur in the mitochondrial matrix. Oxidative phosphorylation couples the inner-membrane electron transport chain to ATP synthase. The diagram groups reactions and is not a measured flux chart.

Cellular respiration diagram separating cytosolic glycolysis from mitochondrial pyruvate oxidation and Krebs cycle, with electron carriers feeding oxidative phosphorylation at the inner mitochondrial membrane — AcaDraw original educational schematic, informed by OpenStax Biology 2e §§7.2–7.4. All yields refer to one glucose in a conventional eukaryotic teaching model; approximate totals vary with shuttles, coupling and cell conditions. Arrows separate carbon flow from electron-carrier transfer; transport proteins and most intermediates are omitted.

Cellular respiration diagram stages, sites and ATP yield

Use the labels with the reference, then choose the detail level your lesson needs. On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally.

Stage or component	Site in a eukaryotic cell	Products per glucose and drawing note
Glycolysis	Cytosol	Glucose becomes 2 pyruvate. Produces 2 net ATP and 2 NADH; 4 ATP are formed but 2 were invested.
Pyruvate oxidation / link reaction	Mitochondrial matrix	2 pyruvate become 2 acetyl-CoA, releasing 2 CO₂ and producing 2 NADH. No ATP is made directly.
Krebs / citric acid cycle	Mainly mitochondrial matrix	Two turns yield 4 CO₂, 6 NADH, 2 FADH₂ and 2 ATP equivalents (ATP or GTP). Succinate dehydrogenase is inner-membrane-bound.
Electron transport chain	Inner mitochondrial membrane	Receives electrons from reduced carriers and transfers them ultimately to oxygen. Coupled proton pumping builds an electrochemical gradient.
ATP synthase / chemiosmosis	Inner mitochondrial membrane	Protons return toward the matrix through ATP synthase. Oxidative phosphorylation contributes about 26–28 ATP in the conventional estimate.
Oxygen and water	At the end of the electron transport chain	Oxygen is the final electron acceptor and is reduced to water. Oxygen does not enter glycolysis as a direct reactant.
Overall ATP estimate	Aerobic glucose breakdown	About 30–32 ATP per glucose in a common eukaryotic model: 2 glycolytic + 2 cycle ATP equivalents + about 26–28 oxidative ATP. Actual yield varies.

Read matter and energy in a cellular respiration diagram

A cellular respiration diagram combines several linked processes. Use separate line styles for carbon substrates, reduced electron carriers and proton movement so the connections remain understandable.

Carbon follows a four-stage route

Glucose → two pyruvate → two acetyl-CoA → oxidation through two cycle turns. Carbon dioxide is released during the link reaction and cycle, not during glycolysis.

Carriers connect the stages

NADH and FADH₂ carry reducing equivalents toward the respiratory chain. Cytosolic NADH itself does not simply cross the inner mitochondrial membrane; shuttle systems transfer its reducing equivalents.

ATP formation has two mechanisms

Glycolysis and the cycle make a small ATP-equivalent yield by substrate-level phosphorylation. Most ATP comes from oxidative phosphorylation powered by the proton gradient.

Common cellular respiration diagram mistakes

Putting glycolysis inside the mitochondrion

Place glycolysis in the cytosol. Move pyruvate-derived carbon into the mitochondrial pathway through a named link reaction.

Showing 36 or 38 ATP as a universal total

Specify the organism, assumptions and textbook model. For this eukaryotic overview use approximately 30–32 ATP and explain the source of variation.

Treating respiration as breathing

Ventilation moves air; cellular respiration is intracellular metabolism. Plants also carry out cellular respiration, including in the light.

Create your own cellular respiration diagram

Reading the reference is free. Generating a new draft requires an account and available credits. See current pricing.

Choose Science Drawing for an illustrated draft, or Editable Diagram for separate shapes and text labels. Review the science and all connections before using either result.

1
Choose the biological context
Use a eukaryotic aerobic model or explicitly request a prokaryotic model with different locations.
2
Map stages and compartments
Include the link reaction, carbon products and the carrier connections, with a clear arrow legend.
3
Check ATP and arrow meaning
Keep net and gross ATP separate. Review compartments, oxygen use and the assumptions behind each yield.

A prompt you can adapt

Create an educational cellular respiration diagram for aerobic glucose breakdown in a eukaryotic cell. Place glycolysis in the cytosol, pyruvate oxidation and most Krebs-cycle reactions in the mitochondrial matrix, and electron transport plus ATP synthase at the inner mitochondrial membrane. Show glucose to 2 pyruvate to 2 acetyl-CoA and two cycle turns. Use solid arrows for carbon flow and dashed arrows for NADH/FADH2 reducing equivalents; note the cytosolic shuttle. Label CO2 release at the link reaction and cycle, O2 as final electron acceptor, and proton return through ATP synthase toward the matrix. Give approximate ATP per glucose: 2 net from glycolysis, 2 cycle equivalents and 26–28 from oxidative phosphorylation, about 30–32 total with stated variability.

Use this prompt in the generator

Cellular Respiration diagram FAQ

What are the stages in a cellular respiration diagram?

The overview includes glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, the Krebs or citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Many three-stage summaries group pyruvate oxidation with the cycle.

Where does cellular respiration happen?

In this eukaryotic model, glycolysis is cytosolic, pyruvate oxidation and most cycle reactions are in the matrix, and oxidative phosphorylation uses the inner mitochondrial membrane. Prokaryotes do not have mitochondria.

How much ATP is produced per glucose?

A common eukaryotic teaching estimate is about 30–32 ATP: 2 net glycolytic ATP, 2 cycle ATP equivalents and about 26–28 from oxidative phosphorylation. Yield depends on shuttles and coupling; it is not a universal measured total.

Where is oxygen used?

Oxygen accepts electrons at the end of the electron transport chain and is reduced to water. Glycolysis does not directly consume oxygen, although continued aerobic metabolism depends on downstream carrier recycling.

Is cellular respiration the same as breathing?

No. Breathing moves air into and out of the lungs. Cellular respiration is a set of metabolic processes in cells; gas exchange and circulation connect oxygen supply to those processes.

Do plants carry out cellular respiration?

Yes. Plant cells carry out respiration as well as photosynthesis. Respiration is not restricted to nighttime.

Can I make an editable cellular respiration diagram?

Choose Editable Diagram for separate shapes and labels or Science Drawing for an illustrated draft. Generation needs an account and credits; check the science before exporting.

Sources and editorial notes

Prepared by the AcaDraw product team. Source and diagram check: October 23, 2026. This is an introductory educational model; independent expert review has not been completed. Generated drafts need checking against reliable references.

Create a cellular respiration diagram for your lesson

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Cellular Respiration Diagram: Stages, Locations, and Energy Flow

Cellular Respiration Diagram Generator