Aerobic Respiration (WJEC GCSE Biology)

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Cara Head

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Cara Head

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Aerobic Respiration

  • Aerobic respiration is a process that occurs in cells when oxygen is available
  • Respiration is a series of enzyme-controlled reactions within the cell, that use glucose and oxygen to release energy and produce carbon dioxide and water
  • The energy transferred supplies all the energy needed for living processes to occur within cells and organisms as a whole
  • Organisms need energy for:
    • Chemical reactions to build larger molecules from smaller molecules
    • Muscle contraction to allow movement
    • Keeping warm (to maintain a constant temperature suitable for enzyme activity)

Uses of energy diagram

Uses of energy in the human body, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Uses of the energy released from respiration

  • The equation that summarises the chemical reactions of aerobic respiration that release energy from glucose are:

Word equation for aerobic respiration, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Word equation for aerobic respiration

Investigating Respiration

  • We can investigate the production of  heat from respiration through experiments using germinating seeds or peas

Apparatus

  • Vacuum Flasks
  • Thermometer
  • Cotton wool
  • Germinating seeds/peas
  • Dead/boiled seeds/peas

Variables

  • The independent variable is the contents of the boiling tube (germinating seeds/peas or dead seeds/peas)
  • The dependent variable is the change in the temperature on the thermometer after 4 days
  • Control variables include
    • The number, age, size, species of seeds/peas
    • The starting temperature of the flasks
    • The material and size of the flasks

Method

  • Rinse/wash the seeds/peas in disinfectant to kill any microorganisms on the surface of the seeds/peas which may also respire
  • Set up the flasks as shown in the diagram
    • Flask A with the dead seeds/peas
    • Flask B with the germinating seeds/peas
    • Thermos flasks are used to ensure heat energy released from respiration does not dissipate into the surroundings 
  • Make sure the cotton wool is plugging the top of each flask
  • Hold the thermometer in place with the cotton wool
  • Invert the flask
  • Record the initial temperature
  • After 4 days, record the final temperature

Investigating respiration diagram

Production of heat in respiration

Experiment to demonstrate the production of heat by living material during respiration

Results

  • The thermometer in the flask with the germinating seeds/peas (flask B) should show an increase in temperature
  • Flask A should remain at room temperature
  • This is because the seeds/peas in flask B are respiring and releasing heat energy in the process
  • This shows that respiration is an exothermic reaction
  • The seeds/peas in flask A are not respiring because they are dead, so the temperature remains the same

ATP in Respiration

Higher Tier Only

  • The energy that is released during aerobic respiration is in the form of the molecule ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
  • The quantity of ATP released in aerobic respiration is significantly more than the ATP released from anaerobic respiration
  • ATP is produced in respiration in the mitochondria of cells

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Cara Head

Author: Cara Head

Expertise: Biology

Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding