Aerobic Respiration

7.2

Aerobic Respiration

Introduction

Aerobic respiration is the breakdown of glucose involving oxygen to produce chemical energy.
Oxygen is used to oxidise glucose to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy.
The aerobic respiration process begins with the glycolysis process.
Glycolysis means the breakdown of glucose by enzymes.
This process occurs in the cytoplasm.
One glucose molecule is broken down into two pyruvate molecules.
The following process occurs in the mitochondrion.
Pyruvate produced from glycolysis is then oxidised through a series of reactions to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy.
A large amount of this energy is used to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules.

Aerobic Respiration

ATP molecules are produced when a group of non-organic phosphate is added to adenosine diphosphate (ADP).
ATP molecules have weak phosphate links.
When the phosphate links on ATP molecules are broken, the energy released is supplied to cells to help us carry out our daily activities.
The complete process of glucose oxidation is simplified as follows:
- Glucose + oxygen \(\rightarrow\) Carbon dioxide + water + energy (2898 kJ).

7.2

Aerobic Respiration

Introduction

Aerobic respiration is the breakdown of glucose involving oxygen to produce chemical energy.
Oxygen is used to oxidise glucose to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy.
The aerobic respiration process begins with the glycolysis process.
Glycolysis means the breakdown of glucose by enzymes.
This process occurs in the cytoplasm.
One glucose molecule is broken down into two pyruvate molecules.
The following process occurs in the mitochondrion.
Pyruvate produced from glycolysis is then oxidised through a series of reactions to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy.
A large amount of this energy is used to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules.

Aerobic Respiration

ATP molecules are produced when a group of non-organic phosphate is added to adenosine diphosphate (ADP).
ATP molecules have weak phosphate links.
When the phosphate links on ATP molecules are broken, the energy released is supplied to cells to help us carry out our daily activities.
The complete process of glucose oxidation is simplified as follows:
- Glucose + oxygen \(\rightarrow\) Carbon dioxide + water + energy (2898 kJ).