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Mito Mission Follow one glucose molecule all the way to ATP
About this activityBiology · Grades 9–12 · About 50 minutes

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Name each stage of cellular respiration and where it happens in the cell.
  • Track where the carbon and hydrogen atoms of glucose go, and how much ATP, NADH, and FADH₂ each stage makes.
  • Compare aerobic respiration (about 36 ATP per glucose) with fermentation (2 ATP).
  • Explain the roles of NAD⁺, oxygen, and ATP synthase in making ATP.

Standards alignment

  • HS-LS1-7 NGSS: Use a model to show that cellular respiration breaks the bonds of food and oxygen molecules and forms new compounds, transferring energy.
  • HS-LS2-3 NGSS: Explain the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Includes

Six stages with a learning goal for each, an optional Honors mode for the Krebs cycle intermediates, a rapid round, and a printable lab worksheet. A teacher answer key is available from Logical Home Schooling.

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