Cellular respiration is divided into two parts: aerobic cellular respiration, and anaerobic cellular respiration.
Aerobic Cellular Respiration
Aerobic cellular respiration is the process by which all organisms use C6H12O6 (glucose) and 6O2 to make 6CO2, 6H2O and 36 ATP. It is called aerobic because it requires oxygen.
The chemical equation for aerobic cellular respiration is:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 ---> 6CO2 + 6H2O + 36 ATP
In this reaction, C6H12O6 + 6O2 are the reactants; and 6CO2 + 6H2O + 36 ATP are the products. The waste products of this reaction are 6CO2 and 6H2O.
The primary function of aerobic cellular respiration is to produce ATP for the cell.
Aerobic cellular respiration occurs in the cytoplasm and in the cell's mitochondria.
Three interesting facts about aerobic cellular respiration:
- Aerobic cellular respiration breaks down the glucose molecules that are formed in photosynthesis so that the cell can use it for energy.
- When trying to memorize the chemical equation for aerobic cellular respiration, it helps to know that the chemical equation of aerobic cellular respiration is the chemical opposite of the chemical equation for photosynthesis. You only need to learn one, and to find the other all you have to do is flip the reactants and products.
- Aerobic cellular respiration has four steps: Glycolysis, the Intermediate Step, the Kreb's Cycle, and the Electron Transport Chain. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm, and glucose is broken down to make 2 ATP. The Intermediate Step occurs in the mitchondria, and 3 carbon pyruvic acid molecules are converted to 2 carbon molecules. The Kreb's Cycle occurs in the mitochondria, and each 2 carbon molecule goes through a cycle where carbons are added and released. 2 ATP are produced, and Hydrogen ions are collected. Finally, the Electron Transport Chain occurs in the cristae of the mitochondria(cristae - a folded membrane inside the mitochondria that increases the surface area for production of more ATP). The H+ collected in the Kreb's Cycle are used to make approximately 28-32 ATP.
Anaerobic Cellular Respiration
Anaerobic cellular respiration is the process by which all organisms use C6H12O6 to make CO2 and 2 ATP. It is called anaerobic because it doesn't require oxygen.
The process of anaerobic cellular respiration is different in plants and animals. The chemical equation for anaerobic cellular respiration in animals is:
C6H12O6 ---> CO2 + lactic acid + 2 ATP
In this reaction (called lactic acid fermentation), C6H12O6 is the reactant and CO2 + lactic acid + 2 ATP are the products. CO2 and lactic acid are the waste products.
The chemical equation for anaerobic cellular respiration in plants is:
C6H12O6 ---> CO2 + ethanol + 2 ATP
In this reaction (called alcoholic fermentation), C6H12O6 is the reactant and CO2 + ethanol + 2 ATP are the products. CO2 and ethanol are the waste products.
The primary function of anaerobic cellular respiration is to continue the production of ATP for the cell, even when oxygen is unavailable.
Anaerobic respiration only occurs in the cytoplasm.
Three interesting facts about anaerobic cellular respiration:
- Anaerobic cellular respiration is considered less effiecient than aerobic cellular respiration, since anaerobic only produces 2 ATP per glucose molecule while aerobic cellular respiration produces 36-38 ATP per glucose molecule.
- Anaerobic cellular respiration only occurs in the cytoplasm because only the Glycolysis step occurs; hence the reason why only 2 ATP are produced.
- One example of anaerobic cellular respiration in animals is when humans exercise. When we breathe heavily during intense exercise, we aren't taking in enough oxygen for aerobic cellular respiration to occur; and therefore lactic acid fermentation takes place. Lactic acid production is what causes your muscles to ache after a hard workout.
The chemical equation for aerobic cellular respiration is:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 ---> 6CO2 + 6H2O + 36 ATP
In this reaction, C6H12O6 + 6O2 are the reactants; and 6CO2 + 6H2O + 36 ATP are the products. The waste products of this reaction are 6CO2 and 6H2O.
The primary function of aerobic cellular respiration is to produce ATP for the cell.
Aerobic cellular respiration occurs in the cytoplasm and in the cell's mitochondria.
Three interesting facts about aerobic cellular respiration:
- Aerobic cellular respiration breaks down the glucose molecules that are formed in photosynthesis so that the cell can use it for energy.
- When trying to memorize the chemical equation for aerobic cellular respiration, it helps to know that the chemical equation of aerobic cellular respiration is the chemical opposite of the chemical equation for photosynthesis. You only need to learn one, and to find the other all you have to do is flip the reactants and products.
- Aerobic cellular respiration has four steps: Glycolysis, the Intermediate Step, the Kreb's Cycle, and the Electron Transport Chain. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm, and glucose is broken down to make 2 ATP. The Intermediate Step occurs in the mitchondria, and 3 carbon pyruvic acid molecules are converted to 2 carbon molecules. The Kreb's Cycle occurs in the mitochondria, and each 2 carbon molecule goes through a cycle where carbons are added and released. 2 ATP are produced, and Hydrogen ions are collected. Finally, the Electron Transport Chain occurs in the cristae of the mitochondria(cristae - a folded membrane inside the mitochondria that increases the surface area for production of more ATP). The H+ collected in the Kreb's Cycle are used to make approximately 28-32 ATP.
Anaerobic Cellular Respiration
Anaerobic cellular respiration is the process by which all organisms use C6H12O6 to make CO2 and 2 ATP. It is called anaerobic because it doesn't require oxygen.
The process of anaerobic cellular respiration is different in plants and animals. The chemical equation for anaerobic cellular respiration in animals is:
C6H12O6 ---> CO2 + lactic acid + 2 ATP
In this reaction (called lactic acid fermentation), C6H12O6 is the reactant and CO2 + lactic acid + 2 ATP are the products. CO2 and lactic acid are the waste products.
The chemical equation for anaerobic cellular respiration in plants is:
C6H12O6 ---> CO2 + ethanol + 2 ATP
In this reaction (called alcoholic fermentation), C6H12O6 is the reactant and CO2 + ethanol + 2 ATP are the products. CO2 and ethanol are the waste products.
The primary function of anaerobic cellular respiration is to continue the production of ATP for the cell, even when oxygen is unavailable.
Anaerobic respiration only occurs in the cytoplasm.
Three interesting facts about anaerobic cellular respiration:
- Anaerobic cellular respiration is considered less effiecient than aerobic cellular respiration, since anaerobic only produces 2 ATP per glucose molecule while aerobic cellular respiration produces 36-38 ATP per glucose molecule.
- Anaerobic cellular respiration only occurs in the cytoplasm because only the Glycolysis step occurs; hence the reason why only 2 ATP are produced.
- One example of anaerobic cellular respiration in animals is when humans exercise. When we breathe heavily during intense exercise, we aren't taking in enough oxygen for aerobic cellular respiration to occur; and therefore lactic acid fermentation takes place. Lactic acid production is what causes your muscles to ache after a hard workout.