Uses of Energy in the Body

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• Respiration is a chemical process that involves the breakdown of nutrient molecules (specifically glucose) in order to release the energy stored within the bonds of these molecules

• Respiration can take place with oxygen (aerobically) or without oxygen (anaerobically). Much less energy is released for each glucose molecule broken down anaerobically compared to the energy released when it is broken down aerobically

• Respiration occurs in all living cells. Most of the chemical reactions in aerobic respiration take place in the mitochondria.

  
  

Uses of energy in the human body

• Humans need this energy to do the following things:

  • Contract muscle

  • Synthesise proteins

  • Cell division (to make new cells)

  • Grow

  • Enable active transport to take place

  • Allow nerve impulses to be generated

  • Maintain a constant internal body temperature