Aerobic Respiration

 

Respiration is an exothermic process that occurs in all living cells to release energy.

 

Some cells carry out aerobic respiration (with oxygen), some cells carry out anaerobic respiration (without oxygen).

 

You need to know the following equations for aerobic respiration:

• Word equation: Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water  

• Chemical equation: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O  

 

The sugar is fully oxidised to form carbon dioxide so releases the full amount of energy.

 

TIP: Aerobic respiration and photosynthesis are the same but one is the reverse of the other!