Aerobic Respiration (Cambridge International IGCSE Science)

Respiration is a chemical reaction

Spec point — Describe aerobic respiration as the chemical reactions in cells that use oxygen to break down nutrient molecules to release energy State the word equation for aerobic respiration as: glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

Respiration is a chemical reaction

• Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and is defined as the chemical reactions in cells that use oxygen to break down nutrient molecules to release energy
• It is the complete breakdown of glucose to release a relatively large amount of energy for use in cell processes
• It produces carbon dioxide and water as well as releasing useful cellular energy
• The word equation for aerobic respiration is:

$glu\mathrm{cos}e+oxygen\rightarrow carbon dioxide+water$

Exam Hint Remember this equation is the same as the photosynthesis equation, only the other way around, so if you know one, you know the other one too!

Balanced chemical equation for aerobic respiration: Extended

Spec point — State the balanced chemical equation for aerobic respiration as:CHO + O → CO + HO

• The balanced chemical equation for aerobic respiration is:

$C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}+6O_{2}\rightarrow6CO_{2}+6H_{2}O$

Exam Hint There are usually 3 marks given for the aerobic respiration chemical equation in an exam:

• one for getting the correct formula for glucose and oxygen
• one for getting the correct formula for carbon dioxide and water
• one for balancing the equation correctly

So make sure you can do all three to gain maximum marks!