What is cellular respiration?

1 Answer
Nov 26, 2014

Cellular respiration is the set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place inside the cells of organisms. This is to convert biochemical energy from nutrients that we consume/absorb into ATP and then release waste products. In the case of human cells oxygen and glucose is transported to the cells and then carbon dioxide is transported back to be breathed out.

This is the equation for aerobic respiration

C6H12O6 (s) + 6 O2 (g) → 6 CO2 (g) + 6 H2O (l) + heat

Aerobic respiration is when oxygen is used for the cells to respire.
However anaerobic respiration does not require oxygen.

Humans use both, we normally use aerobic respiration but when we suddenly sprint we use anaerobic respiration for a short while as it releases a large amount of energy at once and then decreases.
Aerobic is a steady release of energy which is why it is used by us.

this graph shows the use of aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration

(useruploads.socratic.org)