Which process follows glycolysis when oxygen is present, maximizing ATP production?

The process that follows glycolysis when oxygen is present, thereby maximizing ATP production, is the Krebs Cycle.

In aerobic respiration, glycolysis occurs first in the cytoplasm, breaking down glucose into pyruvate and producing a small amount of ATP and NADH. When oxygen is available, pyruvate is transported into the mitochondria, where it undergoes decarboxylation and is converted into Acetyl-CoA. This Acetyl-CoA then enters the Krebs Cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle.

The Krebs Cycle is crucial because it not only produces a small amount of ATP directly but also generates high-energy electron carriers, NADH and FADH2. These electron carriers play a significant role in the subsequent process, the Electron Transport Chain, where the majority of ATP is produced through oxidative phosphorylation.

This interconnectedness illustrates how the Krebs Cycle contributes to maximizing energy extraction from glucose in an oxygen-rich environment, emphasizing its importance in cellular respiration processes.