What is cellular respiration?
Cellular respiration is the process through which eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells harvest energy. It is a catabolic pathway by which adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is made. ATP, a high energy molecule. Cellular respiration occur in the mitochondria which are membrane bound organelles found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria are also known as the powerhouse of the cell and their numbers may vary according to the usage of energy in each cell. For example, skin cells might have a few hundred mitochondria whereas muscle cells that are very active would have a couple thousand mitochondria. The chemical equation for cellular respiration is
C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O + energy in this equation we can see how glucose and oxygen which are the products of photosynthesis have products of water, carbon dioxide an ENERGY(ATP) which allows the organism to carry out life processes. Plants obtain this glucose for respiration from photosynthesis where glucose is a product. If we speak comparitavely we can say that cellular respiration is the reverse of photosynthesis till some extent. During photosynthesis carbon dioxide and water produce oxygen and glucose whereas in cellular respiration, oxygen and glucose form carbon dioxide and water. There are 3 stages of cellular respiration:
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Cellular respiration is important for all life on earth to function. It releases the energy from glucose that is required to carry out life functions that is transferred down the food web as plants are the base of most food webs. If we didn't have energy no cell would function, all life forms as we know them wouldn't exist. To conclude Cellular respiration is our superhero that saves the world. The song linked on the left about cellular respiration can help remember the process.
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