Aerobic respiration takes place within the mitochondria. Following are the main steps in aerobic respiration:
• Stepwise removal of all the hydrogen atoms leads to complete oxidation of pyruvate. This leaves three molecules of CO2. This step takes place in the matrix of mitochondria.
• Electrons removed from hydrogen atoms are passed on to molecular O2. This happens with simultaneous synthesis of ATP. This step takes place in the inner membrane of mitochondria.
Pyruvate enters the mitochondira matrix and undergoes oxidative decarboxylation. This involves a complex set of reactions which are catalysed by pyruvic dehydrogenase.