Lesson 2.3 - Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration describes the process by which living cells convert food into other forms of energy.  The energy is used to grow, to make new cells, to perform life functions, and to reproduce.  It is important to know the difference between respiration and cellular respiration.  Respiration means the act of breathing. 

Read Cellular Respiration on page 184 to learn more. Then, answer the following questions.

Question 1. What is the difference between cellular respiration and respiration?

Question 2. In what part of the cell does cellular respiration occur?

Question 3. What substance is the main source of energy in cellular respiration?

Question 4. What per cent of the energy produced by the mitochondria is used to perform life functions?  What happens to the rest of the energy?

Question 5. What are the products of cellular respiration?

Question 6. How are the equations for cellular respiration and photosynthesis related?

 

Check your answers with those that follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers to Questions:

Question 1. What is the difference between cellular respiration and respiration?

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert food into energy.  Respiration is the act of breathing.

Question 2. In what part of the cell does cellular respiration occur?

Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria of the cell.

Question 3. What substance is the main source of energy in cellular respiration?

Glucose is the main source of energy in cellular respiration.

Question 4. What per cent of the energy produced by the mitochondria is used to perform life functions?  What happens to the rest of the energy?

About 50% of the energy produced by the mitochondria is used to perform life functions.  The other 50% is released as heat.  You should know that half is the same as 50%.

Question 5. What are the products of cellular respiration?

The products of cellular respiration are carbon dioxide, water, and energy.

Question 6. How are the equations for cellular respiration and photosynthesis related?

The equations for cellular respiration and photosynthesis are the exact reverse of one another.  The reactants of photosynthesis are the products of cellular respiration and vice-versa.

 


Go to the next page to continue Lesson 2.