AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Aerobic and anaerobic respiration: Aerobic respiration is represented by the equation:
Aerobic respiration is the process that releases energy from glucose using oxygen.
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Aerobic respiration is the process that releases energy from glucose using oxygen. It is represented by the equation: glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water. The equation shows that one molecule of glucose reacts with six molecules of oxygen to produce six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water, releasing energy. This balanced equation is the chemical summary of a series of enzyme-controlled reactions in the mitochondria. The energy released is used for processes such as muscle contraction, active transport and keeping warm.
What earns the marks
- The word equation is glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water, and energy is released.
- The balanced symbol equation is C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O.
- Aerobic respiration takes place in the mitochondria and requires a continuous supply of oxygen.
- The energy released is used for useful processes such as muscle contraction, active transport and maintaining body temperature.
- The equation explains why breathing and heart rate increase during exercise: to supply more oxygen and remove more carbon dioxide.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Writing the equation with the products and reactants reversed.
Put it right: Glucose and oxygen are the reactants, carbon dioxide and water are the products.
Forgetting to balance the symbol equation.
Put it right: Use coefficients 6 for O₂, CO₂ and H₂O to balance carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Confusing respiration with photosynthesis.
Put it right: Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and water to make glucose and oxygen, whereas respiration uses glucose and oxygen to release energy.
Exam tips
- Learn both the word equation and the balanced symbol equation, and be ready to write either when asked.
- When explaining exercise responses, refer to the equation to justify increased oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal.
- Check that every element is balanced in the symbol equation before moving on to the explanation.
Try the lesson
The start of the Aerobic and anaerobic respiration: Aerobic respiration is represented by the equation: lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which equation represents aerobic respiration?
Key words
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Aerobic respiration
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Word equation
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Balanced symbol equation
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Mitochondria
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See every definition
- Aerobic respiration
- The process that releases energy from glucose using oxygen, represented by the equation glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water.
- Word equation
- Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water, showing that energy is released.
- Balanced symbol equation
- C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O, the chemical summary of a series of enzyme-controlled reactions in the mitochondria.
- Mitochondria
- The site where aerobic respiration takes place, requiring a continuous supply of oxygen.
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