Biology
Write the important aspects about the overall chemical equation of respiration, pertaining to the following :
- number of steps for glucose to break down into CO2 and H2O.
- involvement of enzymes.
- forms of energy liberated.
Answer
- The breakdown of glucose to carbon dioxide and water does not occur in a single step, but in a series of chemical steps. These steps occur in two major phases — (i) glycolysis (glucose → pyruvate) occurring in cytoplasm and (ii) Krebs cycle (pyruvate → CO2 + 6H2O + ATP) occurring in mitochondria.
- Each breakdown step occurs due to a particular enzyme.
- The energy liberated in the breakdown of glucose molecule is not all in the form of heat, but a large part of it is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP.
Related Questions
List three ways in which respiration is different from burning.
Name the three inlets of oxygen for respiration in plants.
Give the overall chemical equation for the two kinds of respiration in plants :
- Aerobic
- Anaerobic
Mention any one difference other than those reflected in the two chemical equations given above.