Which process directly follows glycolysis in cellular respiration under aerobic conditions?

The process that directly follows glycolysis in cellular respiration under aerobic conditions is the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. After glycolysis, which occurs in the cytoplasm and breaks down glucose into pyruvate, that pyruvate enters the mitochondria. In the presence of oxygen, pyruvate is then converted into acetyl-CoA, which serves as the substrate for the Krebs cycle.

The Krebs cycle takes place in the mitochondrial matrix and is essential for further energy production. During this cycle, acetyl-CoA is metabolized through a series of enzymatic reactions, leading to the production of reduced cofactors (NADH and FADH2) and ATP, as well as carbon dioxide as a byproduct. The NADH and FADH2 generated are crucial for the electron transport chain, which is the subsequent stage of aerobic respiration that allows for the generation of a high yield of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

The other processes mentioned do not directly follow glycolysis in the context of aerobic respiration. Fermentation occurs under anaerobic conditions and is an alternative pathway when oxygen is not available. Substrate-level phosphorylation is a mechanism for ATP production that happens during