Revise: Factors affecting respirationRespiration

Most cell activity requires chemical energy. Respiration is the cellular process of releasing energy from food. Aerobic respiration releases fifteen times more energy than fermentation.

Part ofBiologyRevise: Photosynthesis and respiration

Respiration

Cells require energy for activities such as growth and cell division. In animals, muscle cells require energy for contracting and nerve cells require energy for transmitting nerve impulses.

A flow chart that shows the overall process of aerobic resperation. Glucose plus oxygen through an enzyme controlled reaction are transformed into carbon dioxide and water.

The energy is supplied by food that the cells take in.

The break down of food to release energy is called . The main food used by cells for respiration is glucose.

If oxygen is present then animal, plant and yeast cells can carry out respiration. The overall process of aerobic respiration is illustrated above.

If oxygen is absent then respiration can still take place. Animal, plant and yeast cells complete the breakdown of food by carrying out fermentation.