What is respiration?
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 is enzyme-controlled
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 released in respiration
Humans need the energy released during respiration carry out many processes
Muscle contraction
Protein synthesis
Cell division (to make new cells)
Growth
Active transport across cell membranes
Generation of nerve impulses
Maintaining a constant internal body temperature