Lecture on Respiration

Overview

• Understanding respiration and its significance in energy transfer
• Types of respiration: Aerobic and Anaerobic

What is Respiration?

• Cellular Respiration: An exothermic process that releases energy from glucose.
• Energy is transferred, not created.
• Occurs continuously in living cells.

How Organisms Use Energy

1. Building Molecules: Combining smaller molecules, e.g., amino acids into proteins.
2. Muscular Contraction: Allows movement of limbs.
3. Maintaining Body Temperature: Keeps the body warm in cold environments.

Types of Respiration

1. Aerobic Respiration

• Oxygen Requirement: Requires oxygen to occur.
• Efficiency: Most efficient way to transfer energy from glucose.
• Location: Occurs in mitochondria in both plants and animals.
• Word Equation:
  • Glucose + Oxygen -> Carbon Dioxide + Water
• Chemical Equation:
  • C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ -> 6CO₂ + 6H₂O

2. Anaerobic Respiration

• No Oxygen Requirement: Occurs without oxygen.
• When Used: During situations with insufficient oxygen supply, e.g., sprinting.
• Inefficiency:
  • Glucose is only partially broken down.
  • Produces lactic acid, which is toxic and needs to be removed.
• Word Equation (Humans):
  • Glucose -> Lactic Acid

Anaerobic Respiration in Plants and Yeast

• Different Process: Glucose -> Ethanol + Carbon Dioxide
• Fermentation:
  • In yeast, used in industries like baking and alcohol production.
  • Produces carbon dioxide (for bread) and ethanol (for beer and wine).

Additional Resources

• Videos, questions, flashcards, and exam preparations available at Cognito's website.
• Progress tracking available for study guidance.