Respiration releases energy for cells from glucose. This can be aerobic respiration, which needs oxygen, or anaerobic respiration, which does not. During exercise, the breathing rate and heart rate increase. During hard exercise an oxygen debt may build up.
Aerobic respiration is the form of respiration which uses oxygen. It can be summarised by this equation: glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)
Energy is shown in brackets because it is not a substance. Notice that:
- Glucose and oxygen are used up
- Carbon dioxide and water are produced as waste product
Anaerobic respiration involves the incomplete breakdown of glucose. The waste product is lactic acid rather than carbon dioxide and water: glucose → lactic acid.
This acid can build up in muscles and cause pains.
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