Aerobic Respiration
Aerobic respiration is the release of energy from glucose in the presence of oxygen. It is a chemical reaction that occurs inside structures called mitochondria in cells.
The reaction is summarised by the equation:
glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)
Energy released is used:
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To build up larger molecules using smaller ones
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To enable muscles to contract
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To produce heat
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In the active transport of materials across boundaries
The waste products are carbon dioxide and water.
Carbon dioxide is poisonous, so it is transported from the respiring cells to the lungs where it is breathed out.
Some of the water is used by the body, but some is breathed out.
During vigorous exercise, the circulatory system may not be able to supply enough oxygen to the muscle cells for aerobic respiration and they stop contracting efficiently. The cells may then carry out anaerobic respiration to release more energy.
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