You are viewing a free preview of this lesson.
Subscribe to unlock all 10 lessons in this course and every other course on LearningBro.
This lesson covers aerobic respiration — the process by which cells release energy from glucose using oxygen — as required by the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification (1SC0). You need to recall the word and symbol equations, know where it occurs and understand why organisms need to respire.
Respiration is a chemical reaction that takes place in every living cell to release energy from glucose. It happens continuously, 24 hours a day, in all living organisms — plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and protists.
Respiration is not the same as breathing:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Respiration | A chemical reaction inside cells that releases energy from glucose |
| Breathing (ventilation) | The mechanical movement of air in and out of the lungs |
Exam Tip: Never say "respiration is breathing." Respiration is a cellular process that releases energy. Breathing (ventilation) supplies the oxygen needed for aerobic respiration and removes the CO₂ produced.
Aerobic means "with oxygen." Aerobic respiration is the most efficient way for cells to release energy from glucose.
glucose+oxygen→carbon dioxide+water+energy (ATP)
Subscribe to continue reading
Get full access to this lesson and all 10 lessons in this course.