Cellular respiration
Cellular respiration is the process of oxidizing food molecules, like glucose, to carbon dioxide and water. It is the set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products.
mitochondria
Mitochondria are mostly found in nearly all eukaryotic cells, usually several or many per cell. They grow and divide on their own. They can also move around within the cell and change their shape.
Muscles and nerve cells (brain) need a lot of energy in order to function efficiently. As a matter of fact, high number of mitochondria are often found in these cells. It is though that mitochondria are the 'engines' of the cell and sugar they concerted is the fuel for our body. Some other cells need less energy than the brain and muscles, some mitochondria in the cell die or become inactive. Therefore, the amount of mitochondria in a cell depends on the amount of energy that specific cell requires.
Muscles and nerve cells (brain) need a lot of energy in order to function efficiently. As a matter of fact, high number of mitochondria are often found in these cells. It is though that mitochondria are the 'engines' of the cell and sugar they concerted is the fuel for our body. Some other cells need less energy than the brain and muscles, some mitochondria in the cell die or become inactive. Therefore, the amount of mitochondria in a cell depends on the amount of energy that specific cell requires.
Mitochondria have a distinct structure that helps them to generate energy.
- Outer membrane - The outside is protected by an outer membrane that is smooth and varies in shape from a round blob to a long rod.
- Inner membrane - Unlike other organelles in the cell, mitochondria also have an inner membrane. The inner membrane is wrinkled with lots of folds and performs a number of functions to help make energy.
- Cristae - The folds on the inner membrane are called cristae. Having all these folds helps to increase the surface area of the inner membrane.
- Matrix - The matrix is the space inside the inner membrane. Most of the proteins of the mitochondria are in the matrix. The matrix also holds ribosomes and DNA that is unique to the mitochondria.
word equation of cellular respiration
Cellular respiration consists of three sequences, each of which consists of a number of reactions.
- Glycolysis — the breakdown of a glucose molecule into two three-carbon molecules
- The Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle or Krebs Cycle — the three-carbon pieces are systematically pulled apart carbon by carbon to release the energy stored in those covalent bonds. This is where the CO₂ is produced.
- The Electron Transport Chain and Oxidative Phosphorylation — this sequence requires the oxygen and produces most of the energy.
cellular respiration and us
Same as photosynthesis, cellular respiration is a process of making energy but this time, we are converting what we have already consume into things that are useful to our body. Cellular respiration is important to all the living things on Earth since this is a way of making the food we consume useful. If there is no cellular respiration, the food we ate will be useless. Our body will not be able to function due to the lack of energy. Without enough energy, we will not be able to undergo not only physically activities but also cellular activities inside our body which will eventually lead to our death. Without cellular respiration, not only human will die, but also all the eurokaryotic organisms that relies on cellular respiration to convert energy will die as well.