5.2.1

Overview of Respiration

Test yourself

Respiration

Respiration is a series of reactions that convert chemical energy stored in carbohydrates into ATP. It takes place in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.

Illustrative background for Importance of respirationIllustrative background for Importance of respiration ?? "content

Importance of respiration

  • Respiration is the process that converts energy within the bonds of glucose into a more readily available form: ATP. The equation for respiration is:
    • 6O2 + C6H12O6 (glucose) → 6CO2 + 6H2O
Illustrative background for Types of respirationIllustrative background for Types of respiration ?? "content

Types of respiration

  • There are two types of respiration:
    • Aerobic - respiration using oxygen.
    • Anaerobic - respiration without oxygen.
  • Both types of respiration start with the same stage: glycolysis (pictured).
Illustrative background for contentIllustrative background for undefined ?? "content
Illustrative background for Anaerobic respirationIllustrative background for Anaerobic respiration ?? "content

Anaerobic respiration

  • Anaerobic respiration does NOT use oxygen (e.g. short burst of intense exercise).
  • There are two types of anaerobic respiration:
    • Ethanol fermentation - takes place in plants and yeast.
    • Lactate fermentation - takes place in animals.
Illustrative background for Aerobic respirationIllustrative background for Aerobic respiration ?? "content

Aerobic respiration

  • Aerobic respiration uses oxygen (e.g. extended periods of exercise).
  • The reaction and products are the same in plants, animal and yeast.
  • Aerobic respiration also differs from anaerobic respiration in the following ways:
    • Water is produced.
    • More ATP is produced.
    • Glucose is fully broken down.
    • After glycolysis, there are more steps (the link reaction, the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation).

Glycolysis

Respiration produces ATP and can be either aerobic or anaerobic. Glycolysis is the first stage in both these processes. Glycolysis happens in the cytoplasm and is an anaerobic process.

Illustrative background for PhosphorylationIllustrative background for Phosphorylation ?? "content

Phosphorylation

  • The first step in glycolysis involves the phosphorylation of glucose to glucose phosphate using one molecule of ATP.
  • Glucose phosphate is phosphorylated by another molecule of ATP to hexose bisphosphate (a six-carbon molecule)
  • Hexose bisphosphate splits into two molecules of triose phosphate (TP).
Illustrative background for OxidationIllustrative background for Oxidation ?? "content

Oxidation

  • The two molecules of TP are oxidised to pyruvate (another three-carbon molecule) in a multi-step reaction.
  • A single TP molecule produces two molecules of ATP and one molecule of reduced NAD (NADH) in this process.
Illustrative background for Net gainIllustrative background for Net gain ?? "content

Net gain

  • 2 ATP molecules.
  • 2 NADH molecules.

Jump to other topics

1Biological Molecules

2Cells

3Substance Exchange

4Genetic Information & Variation

5Energy Transfers (A2 only)

6Responding to Change (A2 only)

7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson