How Does the Cholera Bacterium Cause Diarrhea at the Cellular Level?
Three Phases of Cellular Respiration
Glycolysis Location
Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell.Citric Acid Cycle Location
The Citric Acid Cycle takes place in the mitochondria of the cell.Electron Transport Chain Location
The electron transport chain takes place in the inner mitochondrial membrane.ATP Production
Without oxygen: 2 ATP are made per cycle.With oxygen present: An additional 34-36 ATP are made per cycle.
CO2 and Water Production
Carbon dioxide: is made in the Citric Acid Cycle.Water: is made in the electron transport chain.
Cellular Respiration without Oxygen
Cellular respiration in the absence of oxygen is called anaerobic respiration.ATP Production Stage
Most of the ATP is produced in the electron transport chain stage of cellular respiration.Final Electron Acceptor Molecule
The final electron "acceptor molecule" at the end of the electron transport chain is oxygen, which forms water.Cholera Bacterium and Diarrhea at the Cellular Level
The cholera bacterium causes diarrhea at the cellular level by producing a toxin called cholera toxin. This toxin affects the cells lining the intestines, specifically the epithelial cells. The toxin binds to receptors on the surface of the epithelial cells, triggering the activation of an enzyme called adenylate cyclase. Adenylate cyclase converts ATP into cyclic AMP (cAMP), which disrupts the normal ion transport process in the intestinal cells.
Increased cAMP levels activate the CFTR protein, leading to the efflux of chloride ions into the intestinal lumen. This creates an osmotic imbalance, causing the secretion of water into the intestine and resulting in watery diarrhea.