What Is the Purpose of Cellular Respiration?
In this lesson, explore cellular respiration and its purpose. You’ll see the differences between anabolic and catabolic reactions and understand how our bodies are able to utilize the energy stored in the foods we eat.
The Purpose Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells in plants and animals break down sugar and turn it into energy, which is then used to perform work at the cellular level. The purpose of cellular respiration is simple: it provides cells with the energy they need to function. If living things could not get the energy they need out of food, it would be absolutely worthless. All living things would eventually die, no matter the quality and amount of food.
Cellular respiration is used to create usable energy from the foods that living things eat. It’s important to know that the reactions involved in cellular respiration are catabolic, meaning they break down molecules into smaller ones. This differs from anabolic reactions, which build bigger molecules from smaller ones. Key point: Cellular respiration involves catabolic reaction in order to break down food into usable energy so that cells, and the living organisms that contain them, can survive and thrive.
Cellular Respiration: What’s Involved?
There are many stages involved in cellular respiration. It begins with glucose (glucose is known as sugar) and results in energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Are you ready for the fancy science equation? Here it is:
null
As you can see, cellular respiration begins with one molecule of glucose and some oxygen (the oxygen is in the air that we breathe and is required for cellular respiration), and the end product is energy, with carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.
Stages of Cellular Respiration
There are three important stages of cellular respiration, and they are important to recognize. The first stage is glycolysis, the initial process by which glucose is converted into pyruvate. Next, there’s the Krebs Cycle, which converts pyruvate into different metabolites and generates energy (ATP) by doing so. Lastly there is the electron transport chain, which uses ATP to move electrons down a membrane (and this generates even more energy).
Looking for a Similar Assignment? Order now and Get 10% Discount! Use Coupon Code “Newclient”
The post What Is the Purpose of Cellular Respiration? appeared first on Superb Professors.
For any questions, feedback, or comments, we have an ethical customer support team that is always waiting on the line for your inquiries.