Respiration is a chemical reaction. It is the process of releasing energy from the breakdown of glucose. Respiration takes place in every living cell, all of the time and all cells need to respire in order to produce the energy that they require.
What is the energy is used for?
The energy produced during respiration is used in many different ways, some examples of what it is used for are:
The energy produced during respiration is used in many different ways, some examples of what it is used for are:
- Working your muscles
- Growth and repair of cells
- Building larger molecules from smaller ones i.e. proteins from amino acids
- Allowing chemical reactions to take place
- Absorbing molecules in active transport
- Keeping your body temperature constant
- Sending messages along nerves
There are TWO types of respiration:
1. Aerobic Respiration
Aerobic means “with air”. This type of respiration needs oxygen for it to occur so it is called aerobic respiration.
The word equation for aerobic respiration is: Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy
The chemical equation is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + 2900 kJ/mol
Aerobic respiration occurs in plants as well as animals:
Oxygen enters plant cells through the stomata. Plants produce their food via photosynthesis and release energy from it through the process of respiration. Below is a reminder of what the equation for photosynthesis is:
(Energy via sunlight+) Carbon dioxide + Water = Glucose + Oxygen
Comparing the two equations what do you see?
Aerobic means “with air”. This type of respiration needs oxygen for it to occur so it is called aerobic respiration.
The word equation for aerobic respiration is: Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy
The chemical equation is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + 2900 kJ/mol
- See that glucose is broken down by oxygen to release energy with carbon dioxide and water being produced as by-products of the reaction.
- Approximately 2900 kJ of energy is released when one mole of glucose is broken down.
- The released energy is used to make a special energy molecule called Adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
- ATP is where the energy is stored for use later on by the body.
Aerobic respiration occurs in plants as well as animals:
Oxygen enters plant cells through the stomata. Plants produce their food via photosynthesis and release energy from it through the process of respiration. Below is a reminder of what the equation for photosynthesis is:
(Energy via sunlight+) Carbon dioxide + Water = Glucose + Oxygen
Comparing the two equations what do you see?
- See that aerobic respiration works in the opposite way to photosynthesis.
- During the day both photosynthesis and respiration are taking place at the same time, although photosynthesis is occurring at a faster rate.
- At night when there is no light only respiration takes place.