Cells break down small food molecules that have been assimilated from the gut to release the stored chemical energy in the process of cellular respiration.The chemical energy is used for muscle contraction, active transport, building up large molecules and cell division.
In aerobic respiration oxygen is used to oxidise food. The waste products are CO2 and H2O.
Glucose + oxygen ----> carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)
C6H12O6 + 6O2 ----> 6CO2 + 6H2O
In anearobic respiration cells respire without oxygen. Glucose is not completely broken down and less energy is released.
In yeast the waste products of this are ethanol and carbon dioxide:
Glucose ----> ethanol + carbon dioxide (+ some energy)
In animal cells the waste product is lactic acid:
Glucose ----> lactic acid (+ some energy)
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