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How does stage two of cellular respiration benefit a cell?

Cellular respiration is generally broken down into 3 main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation. Because of this, I will assume that by "stage two" you are referring to the Krebs cycle.


The main purpose of the Krebs cycle is to create electron-carrying molecules, specifically NADH and FADH2. Each cycle produces 1 FADH2 and 3 NADH molecules. These molecules will leave the Krebs cycle and carry their electrons to the electron transport chain in oxidative phosphorylation which ultimately results in the production of ATP.


The Krebs cycle starts with a molecule of acetyl-CoA and proceeds through 10 steps before ending up with acetyl-CoA again, making the process a cycle. Carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product and ends up being transferred to the blood stream and then exhaled through the lungs. The benefit from the Krebs cycle comes from the production of NADH and FADH2 because they provide the energy for producing ATP. 

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