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    Home » What is Respiration

    What is Respiration

    October 17, 2019 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Respiration is a chemical reaction that is fundamental to all living things. It happens in every cell of every plant and animal.

    Respiration is the reaction between glucose (from food) and oxygen in the air you breathe. It produces carbon dioxide and water (waste products) and ENERGY! Energy is needed for movement, growth and repair and generally staying alive.

    Glucose + Oxygen –> Carbon Dioxide + Water + ENERGY

    Animal Cells

    Respiration in animal cells occurs in the mitochondria. It is called aerobic respiration as it uses oxygen. Some microorganisms such as yeast respire anaerobically ( without oxygen ).

    Glucose and oxygen are transported to cells in blood and the waste products removed.

    The process can also occur anaerobically if there is a shortage of oxygen. This can happen if you exercise really hard!

    Anaerobic Respiration in Animals

    glucose –> lactic acid

    It’s lactic acid that makes your muscles hurt when you’ve done a lot of exercise. Lactic acid isn’t broken down until you start to respire aerobically again.

    Plant Cells

    In plant cells respiration also occurs in the mitochondria of the cell.

    Comparison of Photosynthesis and Respiration

    Comparison of Respiration and Photosynthesis in a plant

    You can see from the diagram above that the reactants and products of photosynthesis and respiration are opposites.

    Respiration converts nutrients from the soil into energy and happens all the time, but as photosynthesis needs light it only happens in the daytime.

    Photosynthesis converts light energy to glucose which can then be used for respiration. This process allows plants to make their own food!

    On a sunny day photosynthesis occurs faster than respiration so more oxygen is given off by the plant than is used. This is great for us as we need oxygen to breathe!

    More Respiration Experiments

    The gas produced by yeast can be used to blow up a balloon.

    Blow up a balloon with yeast

    Children can see respiration in action by baking bread or pizza dough.

    Plant Experiments

    Edventures has a super simple activity allowing kids to see bubbles of gas appearing on the leaf of a plant as it photosynthesises.

    Find out how plants transport water from the soil to leaves with our capillary action experiment and transpiration investigation.

    A hands on way to learn about plant structure is by dissecting the a flower or plant.

    What is Respiration? Full explanation and selection of experiments showing respiration in action #respiration #biologyforkids #scienceforkids

    Last Updated on October 9, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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