RESPIRATION
The process of releasing energy from food is called respiration.
The process of respiration involves taking in oxygen (of air) into the cells, using it for
releasing energy by burning food, and then eliminating the waste products (carbon dioxide
and water) from the body.
The process of respiration which releases energy takes place inside the cells of the body. So, it is also
known as cellular respiration.
Respiration involves : (i) Gaseous exchange : Intake of oxygen from the
atmosphere and release of CO2 → Breathing
(ii) Breakdown of simple food in order to release energy inside the cell → Cellular respiration
Breakdown of Glucose by Various Pathways
Breathing and Respiration:
Breathing Respiration
The mechanism by which organisms obtain Respiration includes breathing as well as the
oxygen from the air and release carbon oxidation of food in the cells of the organism
dioxide is called breathing. to release energy.
Respiration includes physical as well as
Breathing is a physical process.
biochemical process of oxidation of food.
The process of breathing involves the lungs The process of respiration involves the lungs
of the organism. and mitochondria of the cells.
How Energy Released during Respiration is Stored:
The energy produced during respiration is stored in the form of ATP molecules in the
cells of the body and used by the organism as when required.
ADP (Adenosine Di-Phosphate, low energy content), Inorganic Phosphate (Pi) and ATP
(Adenosine Tri-Phosphate, high energy content) are the substances present inside a cell.
The energy released during respiration is used to make ATP molecules form ADP and
inorganic phosphate.
Thus, energy is stored in the form of ATP.
When the cell needs energy, then ATP can be broken down using water to release
energy. Thus:
The energy equivalent to 30.5KJ/mole is released in this process.
ATP is known as energy currency of cells.
Types of Respiration:
1. Aerobic respiration
2. Anaerobic respiration
Aerobic Respiration:
The respiration which uses oxygen is called aerobic respiration.
In aerobic respiration, the glucose food is completely broken down into carbon dioxide
and water by oxidation.
Aerobic respiration produces a considerable amount of energy for use by the organism
which gets stored in the ATP molecules.
Mitochondria are the sites of aerobic respiration in the cells. Thus, the breakdown of
pyruvate to give carbon dioxide, water and energy takes place in mitochondria.
Anaerobic Respiration:
The respiration which takes place without oxygen is called anaerobic respiration.
The microscopic organisms like yeast and some bacteria obtain energy by anaerobic
respiration (which is called fermentation).
In anaerobic respiration, the microorganisms like yeast break down glucose (food) into
ethanol and carbon dioxide, and release energy.
Anaerobic respiration produces much less energy which gets stored in the ATP
molecules.
2 ATP
Sometimes, when there is lack of oxygen in our muscle cells, another pathway for the
breakdown of pyruvate is taken. Here the pyruvate is converted into lactic acid (which is
also a three-carbon molecule) with the release of small amount of energy.
Human Respiratory System
• It consists of the nose, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli
Passage of air through the respiratory system :
Nostril
↓
Nasal Passage
↓
Nasal Cavity
↓
Pharynx
↓
Larynx
↓
Trachea
↓
Bronchi
↓
Bronchioles
↓ LUNG
Alveoli
↓
Blood capillaries
Mechanism of Breathing
Inhalation Exhalation
• During inhalation the thoracic • Thoracic cavity contracts.
cavity (chest cavity) expands.
• Ribs lift up. • Ribs move downwards.
• Diaphragm become flat in shape. • Diaphragm becomes dome shaped.
• Volume of lungs increases and • Volume of lungs decreases
air enters the lungs and air exits from the lungs.
Terrestial organisms : Use atmospheric oxygen for respiration
Aquatic organisms : Use dissolved oxygen for respiration
Respiration in plants
Respiration in plants is simpler than the respiration in animals. Gaseous
exchange occur through :
(a) Stomata in leaves
(b) Lenticels in stems
(c) General surface of the root