Respiration Fact Sheet

• Living organisms carry out respiration to release energy.

• Respiration is not the same as breathing. Respiration is a chemical reaction

that takes place inside cells.

• The energy released by respiration is used for life processes such as:
» movement;
» growth and repair of cells;
» control of body temperature in mammals.

• Aerobic respiration is respiration involving the use of oxygen.

• The word equation for aerobic respiration is:

glucose + oxygen carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)

• Respiration takes place in mitochondria in animal and plant cells.

• Anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen and usually occurs

during strenuous exercise.

• The word equation for anaerobic respiration in animals is:

glucose lactic acid (+ energy)

• Anaerobic respiration releases less energy than aerobic respiration.

• Lactic acid can build up in the muscles during exercise, which can lead
to cramp.

• Fermentation is a type of anaerobic respiration carried out in plant cells

and some microorganisms like yeast.

• The word equation for fermentation is:

glucose ethanol + carbon dioxide (+ energy)

• Examples of products produced by fermentation are bread and

alcoholic drinks, such as beer.