Aerobic Respiration is a process whereby glucose is broken down into carbon dioxide and water using oxygen and releasing energy.
ADP – Adenosine Diphosphate
ATP – Adenosine Triphosphate
When ATP is broken down it becomes ADP which releases a large amount of energy.
ADP + Glucose + Oxygen ---> Carbon dioxide + Water + ATP (energy)
Respiration occurs in 2 stages: -
First stage, in the cytoplasm of the cells, 2 molecules of ATP is produced, this occurs with anaerobic respiration.
Second stage, in the mitochondria of the cells 36 molecules of ATP is produced, occurring with aerobic respiration.
Respiration involves a series of chemical reactions. It occurs as a sequence of 50 different reactions, each catalysed by a different enzyme. The bonds in the organic molecules, such as sugar are broken releasing small amounts of chemical energy; this energy is transferred to the energy carrier molecule ATP. The energy released is used to convert ADP to ATP so that the energy can be used all around the body. 40% of the energy in glucose is converted into ATP the rest is lost as heat.