What is the word equation for anaerobic respiration?
Respiration is a process in which organisms convert oxygen and glucose into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. All organisms carry out respiration to produce the energy needed for their life processes.
Respiration can either be aerobic, involving both glucose and oxygen or anaerobic, which relies solely on glucose.
Human muscles can perform anaerobic respiration for short periods of time. Although this method is less efficient, it allows the muscles to keep working, which is crucial for escaping danger or running a race.
The word equation for anaerobic respiration is:
glucose → lactic acid + energy released
Chemical equation:
C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₃H₆O₃ + Energy (ATP)
Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is broken down into lactic acid (C₃H₆O₃) and energy (ATP)
What is the word equation that shows anaerobic respiration in plants?
Certain plants and fungi, like yeast, can undergo anaerobic respiration. This process, though it releases less energy, helps them survive. In yeast cells, glucose is broken down into carbon dioxide and ethanol, commonly known as alcohol.
glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide + energy released
Chemical equation:
C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂ + Energy (ATP)
Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is broken down into ethanol (C₂H₅OH), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and energy (ATP).
Anaerobic respiration takes place exclusively in the cytoplasm of cells.
What is the word equation for aerobic respiration?
The word equation for aerobic respiration is:
glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy released
Chemical equation:
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (ATP)
Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) reacts with oxygen (O₂) to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and energy (ATP).
Respiration consists of multiple reactions, but this equation summarises the overall process. The initial stages happen in the cytoplasm of cells, while most of the energy is released in the mitochondria.
Comparison of aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration
|
Aerobic respiration |
Anaerobic respiration |
|
|
Oxygen Requirement |
Requires oxygen |
Occurs without oxygen or when oxygen is in limited supply |
|
Oxidation of Glucose |
Complete oxidation of glucose |
Incomplete oxidation, with energy remaining in the end products |
|
Products of Respiration |
Produces carbon dioxide and water with no stored chemical energy |
Produces lactic acid in mammalian muscle, ethanol and carbon dioxide in yeast and some plants, which still contain stored chemical energy |
|
Energy Released |
Releases a relatively large amount of energy |
Releases a small amount of energy but quickly |
Why do organisms need energy?
All organisms require energy to survive. This energy is essential for:
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Driving the chemical reactions necessary for life, such as building complex carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. In plants, these molecules are produced from the products of photosynthesis, while in animals, they are built from the products of digestion.
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Movement, where energy is needed for muscle contraction in animals and for transporting substances through the phloem in plants.
Respiration is only about 40 per cent efficient. As animals respire, heat is also generated. In birds and mammals, this heat is circulated throughout the body by the blood, helping to maintain a constant internal temperature and keeping the animals warm.
Energy is also used for:
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Cell division
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Maintaining stable conditions in cells and the body, known as homeostasis
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Moving molecules against concentration gradients during active transport
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Transmitting nerve impulses