Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Revision - Respiration

A similarity between aerobic and anaerobic respiration is that both processes break down glucose and produce energy (ATP) but much less energy is produced by anaerobic respiration. The oxygen allows as much energy to be removed from glucose. Without oxygen, glucose is changed into lactic acid so only less energy can be produced. Lactic acid is stored in body whereas end products of aerobic respiration (carbon dioxide and water) are released.

An example of anaerobic respiration is when cheetahs are speeding up to run. Anaerobic respiration moves energy from glucose to ATP quickly so that energy is quickly available to the muscles. This allows cheetahs to run quicker to catch prey. Aerobic respiration cannot supply energy as quickly because there are more chemical changes. But much less energy is made by anaerobic respiration so cheetahs can't run fast for long.
With aerobic respiration the end products carbon dioxide and water are removed quickly from muscles, but lactic acid from anaerobic respiration is poison that accumulates in muscles and blood so eventually the body cannot respire. This is another reason why cheetah can run only for a short time.