Respiration breaks down glucose from food into energy using oxygen. It produces ATP, which transports energy throughout the body. Glycolysis is the first step and breaks down glucose without oxygen. The resulting pyruvic acid then enters the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria using oxygen to produce large amounts of ATP, carbon dioxide, and water. If insufficient oxygen is present, pyruvic acid is instead converted to lactic acid, causing muscle fatigue and pain as it builds up.