I/GCSE Biology Chapter Analysis - Chapter 2: Structure and Function of Living Organisms - Respiration
Let's dive into the next part of IGCSE Biology's Chapter 2 sub-topic on Respiration.
Respiration is a fundamental process that occurs in living organisms to produce a form of energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the primary energy currency of cells and is used to power a wide variety of cellular processes, such as muscle contraction, active transport, and the synthesis of important molecules.
The process of respiration involves the breakdown of glucose (or other organic compounds) in the presence of oxygen to produce ATP. This is known as aerobic respiration, and it can be represented by the following word equation:
Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + ATP
The balanced chemical symbol equation for aerobic respiration is:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + 36-38 ATP
In this process, the energy stored in the chemical bonds of glucose is released and used to produce ATP through a series of complex biochemical reactions that occur in the mitochondria of cells.
In contrast, anaerobic respiration is a process that occurs in the absence of oxygen. Instead of using oxygen as the final electron acceptor, anaerobic respiration uses alternative molecules, such as pyruvate or nitrate. This results in the production of ATP, but the amount of ATP produced is much lower compared to aerobic respiration.
The word equation for anaerobic respiration in plants is:
Glucose → Ethanol + Carbon dioxide
The word equation for anaerobic respiration in animals is:
Glucose → Lactic acid
The key differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration are:
- Oxygen requirement: Aerobic respiration requires the presence of oxygen, while anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen.
- ATP yield: Aerobic respiration produces a much higher amount of ATP (36-38 ATP) compared to anaerobic respiration (2 ATP).
- End products: Aerobic respiration produces carbon dioxide and water, while anaerobic respiration in plants produces ethanol and carbon dioxide, and in animals, it produces lactic acid.
In summary, respiration is a vital process that allows living organisms to produce the energy-rich molecule ATP, which is essential for powering various cellular functions. Understanding the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration, as well as their respective equations and products, is crucial.
Work hard for your I/GCSE Biology examination!
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