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Summary Notes - Topic 12 Respiration - CIE Biology IGCSE

Respiration is a chemical reaction that occurs in cells to produce energy from nutrients. There are two types of respiration: aerobic respiration uses oxygen to break down glucose into carbon dioxide and water, while anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen, producing less energy. Aerobic respiration takes place in mitochondria and is more efficient. Anaerobic respiration occurs in the cytoplasm and produces lactic acid in animals or alcohol in yeast, building up a oxygen debt that must later be repaid.

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258 views3 pages

Summary Notes - Topic 12 Respiration - CIE Biology IGCSE

Respiration is a chemical reaction that occurs in cells to produce energy from nutrients. There are two types of respiration: aerobic respiration uses oxygen to break down glucose into carbon dioxide and water, while anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen, producing less energy. Aerobic respiration takes place in mitochondria and is more efficient. Anaerobic respiration occurs in the cytoplasm and produces lactic acid in animals or alcohol in yeast, building up a oxygen debt that must later be repaid.

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CIE Biology GCSE

12: Respiration
Notes

www.pmt.education
Respiration is a chemical reaction which happens in almost all cells in the body to produce
energy from nutrient molecules. This energy can be used in a variety of processes including:
● Muscle contraction
● Protein synthesis
● Cell division
● Active transport
● Growth
● Nerve impulses
● Maintaining body temperature

Respiration usually occurs with the presence of oxygen (aerobic respiration), although it can
occur in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic respiration). Anaerobic respiration is less efficient
and leads to fatigue in humans. Both types of respiration are catalysed by enzymes. This means
that the rate of respiration can be influenced by factors such as temperature and pH.

Aerobic Respiration:
Aerobic respiration occurs in the presence of oxygen. Glucose is broken down into carbon
dioxide, water and energy with the help of oxygen. This occurs in the cell mitochondria. Cells
which require lots of energy, such as muscle cells, therefore have high amounts of
mitochondria.

Equations for aerobic respiration:


● glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
● C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O

Anaerobic respiration:
Anaerobic respiration occurs when oxygen is not present. It is less efficient than aerobic
respiration and produces less energy per glucose molecule. It occurs in the cell cytoplasm and
thus does not require mitochondria.

Animal cells undergo anaerobic respiration during vigorous exercise as not enough oxygen is
delivered to muscles. In this reaction, glucose is broken down to produce lactic acid, as well as
releasing energy. This lactic acid builds up in muscles and causes muscle fatigue. Anaerobic
respiration also produces an ‘oxygen debt’. To repay this, the lactic acid must be transported to
the liver where it is broken down into carbon dioxide and water using oxygen. This is the
reason why the breathing and heart rates remain high after exercise.

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Microorganisms, such as yeast, also undergo anaerobic respiration. Yeast breaks down
anaerobically to form alcohol and carbon dioxide instead of lactic acid.

Equations for anaerobic respiration in yeast:


● glucose → alcohol + carbon dioxide
● C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2

Equation for anaerobic respiration in animal cells:


● glucose → lactic acid

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