7.1 Respiration
|
Respiration is one of the most important chemical process involved in life. It is a series of chemical reactions, all of which are catalysed by enzymes, that release energy from glucose. The energy created is used for a variety of different activities, such as:
Respiration occurs in all living cells, from single celled organisms to more complex organisms such as fungi. We have two different types of respiration:
- Build larger molecules from smaller molecules, for example, proteins from amino acids
- Mammals and birds use the energy to regulate their body temperature
- To allow muscles to contract, which allows them to move
- Nerve impulses
- Cell division
Respiration occurs in all living cells, from single celled organisms to more complex organisms such as fungi. We have two different types of respiration:
- Aerobic respiration
- Anaerobic respiration
Aerobic Respiration- with Oxygen
Aerobic respiration breaks down food substances in the presence of oxygen. The chemical process releases large amounts energy. The equations are as follows:
Aerobic respiration breaks down food substances in the presence of oxygen. The chemical process releases large amounts energy. The equations are as follows:
We can check if the formula above is balanced by checking if the number of each element on either side of the arrow is the same. On the left of the arrow we have 6 carbons, 12 hydrogen and 18 oxygen (6 from glucose and 12 from oxygen [6x2]). On the right side of the equation we have 6 carbon, 12 hydrogen and 18 oxygen (12 oxygens from the carbon dioxide and 6 from water).
Aerobic respiration happens all the time in animals and plants and it essential for the activities that were listed above. Most of the respiration reactions happen inside mitochondria in cells. Mitochondria are tiny structures.
Aerobic respiration happens all the time in animals and plants and it essential for the activities that were listed above. Most of the respiration reactions happen inside mitochondria in cells. Mitochondria are tiny structures.
Anaerobic Respiration – Not Enough Oxygen
If there was sufficient oxygen available, we could only see aerobic respiration, but there is less than sufficient oxygen available anaerobic respiration occurs. Anaerobic respiration is the release of a relatively small amount of energy (compared with the energy released by aerobic respiration) in cells by the breakdown of food substances when there is no oxygen available.
Anaerobic Respiration – Muscle Cells
Anaerobic respiration is the incomplete breakdown of glucose, resulting in energy and lactic acid.
If there was sufficient oxygen available, we could only see aerobic respiration, but there is less than sufficient oxygen available anaerobic respiration occurs. Anaerobic respiration is the release of a relatively small amount of energy (compared with the energy released by aerobic respiration) in cells by the breakdown of food substances when there is no oxygen available.
Anaerobic Respiration – Muscle Cells
Anaerobic respiration is the incomplete breakdown of glucose, resulting in energy and lactic acid.
However, the amount of energy that is released by anaerobic respiration is less than the amount of energy released by aerobic respiration. This is because the glucose in anaerobic respiration is not broken down properly.
During vigorous exercise, your body cannot supply enough oxygen to your muscles, which results in cells switching from aerobic respiration to anaerobic respiration. Anaerobic respiration is not the most efficient way of converting glucose into energy. Also, a by-product of anaerobic respiration is the builds up of lactic acid, which get painful when lactic acids builds up in large quantities. Furthermore, lactic acid can cause muscle fatigue, which is where the muscle gets tired and stop contracting efficiently. However, anaerobic respiration allows muscles to produce energy for a while when there is no oxygen available. (in the video but may not need it as text)
Anaerobic respiration leads to oxygen debt (lactic acid), which is where your body must repay the oxygen that it did not get during the anaerobic respiration process. Oxygen debt is why we keep breathing heavily for a while after we stop vigorously exercising. Oxygen from air that we have breathed in is taken into the blood stream and travels to cells. The cells remove the lactic acid by oxidising it to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water.
During vigorous exercise, your body cannot supply enough oxygen to your muscles, which results in cells switching from aerobic respiration to anaerobic respiration. Anaerobic respiration is not the most efficient way of converting glucose into energy. Also, a by-product of anaerobic respiration is the builds up of lactic acid, which get painful when lactic acids builds up in large quantities. Furthermore, lactic acid can cause muscle fatigue, which is where the muscle gets tired and stop contracting efficiently. However, anaerobic respiration allows muscles to produce energy for a while when there is no oxygen available. (in the video but may not need it as text)
Anaerobic respiration leads to oxygen debt (lactic acid), which is where your body must repay the oxygen that it did not get during the anaerobic respiration process. Oxygen debt is why we keep breathing heavily for a while after we stop vigorously exercising. Oxygen from air that we have breathed in is taken into the blood stream and travels to cells. The cells remove the lactic acid by oxidising it to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water.