AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Aerobic and anaerobic respiration: movement
Movement is one of the ways organisms use the energy released by respiration.
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Movement is one of the ways organisms use the energy released by respiration. Muscle cells respire aerobically when oxygen is available, transferring energy from glucose to ATP, which powers the contraction of muscle fibres. During vigorous exercise, oxygen supply may not keep pace, so muscles also respire anaerobically, breaking down glucose to lactic acid and releasing less energy per glucose molecule. The lactic acid must later be broken down using oxygen, creating an oxygen debt. Movement therefore depends on respiration for energy, on the circulatory system for glucose and oxygen delivery, and on the removal of carbon dioxide and lactic acid. In plants, respiration also powers slower movements such as cell growth and the opening of stomata, showing that movement is not limited to animals.
What earns the marks
- Muscles contract to produce movement, and contraction requires energy transferred from respiration.
- Aerobic respiration uses oxygen and glucose to release energy that is used for muscle contraction.
- During vigorous exercise anaerobic respiration in muscles produces lactic acid and releases less energy per glucose molecule.
- The lactic acid formed creates an oxygen debt that is repaid after exercise by continued fast breathing and heart rate.
- Movement also depends on the delivery of glucose and oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide by the blood.
- In plants, respiration supplies energy for growth and other slow movements, such as stomatal opening.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying muscles make energy.
Put it right: , respiration transfers energy from glucose to ATP, and muscles use that energy to contract.
Believing anaerobic respiration happens only when breathing stops.
Put it right: , it happens when oxygen supply cannot meet demand, such as during vigorous exercise.
Confusing lactic acid with carbon dioxide.
Put it right: , anaerobic respiration in animal muscle produces lactic acid, while carbon dioxide is produced in aerobic respiration.
Exam tips
- Link movement to respiration by naming the muscle, the energy transfer and the waste product formed.
- Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of oxygen use, energy released and products.
- Explain oxygen debt as the extra oxygen needed to break down lactic acid after exercise.
Try the lesson
The start of the Aerobic and anaerobic respiration: movement lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which process transfers the energy that animals need for movement?
Listen
Movement is one of the ways organisms use the energy released by respiration. Muscle cells respire aerobically when oxygen is available, transferring energy from glucose to ATP, which powers the contraction of muscle fibres. During vigorous exercise, oxygen supply may not keep pace, so muscles also respire anaerobically, breaking down glucose to lactic acid and releasing less energy per glucose molecule. The lactic acid must later be broken down using oxygen, creating an oxygen debt. Movement therefore depends on respiration for energy, on the circulatory system for glucose and oxygen delivery, and on the removal of carbon dioxide and lactic acid. In plants, respiration also powers slower movements such as cell growth and the opening of stomata, showing that movement is not limited to animals. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Muscles contract to produce movement, and contraction requires energy transferred from respiration. Aerobic respiration uses oxygen and glucose to release energy that is used for muscle contraction. During vigorous exercise anaerobic respiration in muscles produces lactic acid and releases less energy per glucose molecule. The lactic acid formed creates an oxygen debt that is repaid after exercise by continued fast breathing and heart rate. A common slip: Saying muscles make energy. Instead, , respiration transfers energy from glucose to ATP, and muscles use that energy to contract. Exam tip: Link movement to respiration by naming the muscle, the energy transfer and the waste product formed.
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Key words
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Aerobic respiration
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Anaerobic respiration
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Oxygen debt
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Circulatory system
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See every definition
- Aerobic respiration
- Uses oxygen and glucose to release energy that is used for muscle contraction.
- Anaerobic respiration
- During vigorous exercise in muscles, produces lactic acid and releases less energy per glucose molecule.
- Oxygen debt
- Created by the lactic acid formed and repaid after exercise by continued fast breathing and heart rate.
- Circulatory system
- Delivers glucose and oxygen and removes carbon dioxide by the blood, on which movement depends.
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