Cellular Respiration: Measuring energy consumption during exercise

A simpler version of this simulation intended for principles or high school courses can be found at “Cellular Respiration (Principles): Measure energy consumption during exercise”.

What does it mean to work up an appetite? In this simulation, you will learn about how we metabolize glucose through aerobic and anaerobic respiration. You will be taken through the three stages of cellular respiration: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain.

Evaluate cellular respiration through exercise

Beginning by outlining the structural changes that take place during phosphorylation and glycolysis, you will identify the important products of the Krebs cycle and follow their electrons through the electron transport chain. Then, you will apply what you have learned about cellular respiration to experiments on exercise intensity and oxygen consumption using a mouse model.

Respirometry and blood sample analysis

You will measure cellular respiration by analyzing the blood glucose and lactic acid concentrations of basketball players throughout their game. This data will be compared to experimental exercise data collected using a mouse model and respirometry. The experimental portion of this simulation is supported with strong theoretical explanations of the central steps of glycolysis, phosphorylation and the Krebs cycle using 3D molecules and interactive feedback. The simulation includes an immersive experience of jumping inside mitochondria that demonstrates how protein complexes in the inner membrane of the mitochondria contribute to the electrochemical gradient used by ATP synthase to generate ATP.

Help athletes perform during exercise

Experiment using a mouse model to understand the role of glucose, lactic acid and oxygen during exercise. Apply your knowledge from mouse experiments and of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain to help basketball players perform their best during their game.