Introduction to Cellular Respiration

Some organisms, such as plants, can trap the energy in sunlight through photosynthesis (see Chapter 5)
and store it in the chemical bonds of carbohydrate molecules. The principal carbohydrate formed through
photosynthesis is glucose.Other types of organisms, such as animals, fungi, many protozoa, and a large
portion of bacteria, are unable to perform this process. Therefore, these organisms must rely on the
carbohydrates formed in plants to obtain the energy necessary for their metabolic processes.
Animals and other organisms obtain the energy available in carbohydrates through the process of cellular
respiration. Cells take the carbohydrates into their cytoplasm, and through a complex series of metabolic
processes, they break down the carbohydrates and release the energy. The energy is generally not
needed immediately; rather, it is used to combine adenosine diphosphate (ADP) with phosphate ions to
form adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules. The ATP can then be used for processes in the cells that
require energy, much as a battery powers a mechanical device.
During the process of cellular respiration, carbon dioxide is given off. This carbon dioxide can be used by
plant cells during photosynthesis to form new carbohydrates. Also in the process of cellular respiration,
oxygen gas is required to serve as an acceptor of electrons. This oxygen is identical to the oxygen gas
given off during photosynthesis. Thus, there is an interrelationship between the processes of
photosynthesis and cellular respiration, namely the entrapment of energy available in sunlight and the
provision of the energy for cellular processes in the form of ATP.
The overall mechanism of cellular respiration involves four processes: glycolysis, in which glucose
molecules are broken down to form pyruvic acid molecules; the Krebs cycle, in which pyruvic acid is
further broken down and the energy in its molecule is used to form high-energy compounds, such as
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH); the electron transport system, in which electrons are
transported along a series of coenzymes and cytochromes and the energy in the electrons is released; and
chemiosmosis, in which the energy given off by electrons pumps protons across a membrane and provides
the energy for ATP synthesis. The general chemical equation for cellular respiration is:
C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 H2O + 6CO2 + energy
Figure 6-1 provides an overview of cellular respiration. Glucose is converted to pyruvic acid in the
cytoplasm, which is then used to produce acetyl CoA in the mitochondrion. Finally, the Krebs cycle
proceeds in the mitochondrion. Electron transport and chemiosmosis result in energy release; ATP
synthesis also occurs in the mitochondrion.
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Respiration in plants
All living things get the energy they need to live from a chemical reaction called respiration. This process
needs glucose as a starting point. First we'll see how respiration works, and then look at how plants use
respiration in combination with photosynthesis.
Respiration
Living cells respire. Aerobic respiration is the chemical reaction used to release energy from glucose. It
is called aerobic because oxygen from the air is also needed.
Here is the word equation for aerobic respiration. Energy is put in brackets because it not a substance:
glucose + oxygen carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)
Notice that the word equation for respiration is the reverse of the word equation for photosynthesis. Check
back if you are not sure of this.

Plants
Plant cells respire, just as animal cells do. If they stop respiring, they will die. Remember that respiration
is not the same as breathing, so take care - plants do not breathe.
As we can see from the word equations respiration and photosynthesis are opposites. Respiration uses
oxygen and produces carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and produces oxygen.
So what happens to a plant overall? This depends on whether it is in the dark or the light, and how bright
the light is.
Plants respire all the time, whether it is dark or light. They photosynthesise only when they are in the
light.
Condition
s

Photosynthesis v respiration

Overall result

Respiration
No photosynthesis

Oxygen
taken
Carbon dioxide given out

Dim light

Photosynthesis rate equals respiration

rate

Neither gas is taken in or given out, as each

cancels the other out

Bright light

Photosynthesis
respiration rate

Dark

rate

greater

in

than

Carbon
dioxide
Oxygen given out

taken

in

Photosynthesis usually results in a net food gain (net glucose gain), once respiration has been accounted
for. This means that there is an increase in the biomass of the plant.
Plants that lose their leaves in winter store food produced during the summer by photosynthesis. They
store enough food to last them over winter, and to provide energy reserves for new growth in the spring.

>The three major functions that are basic to plant growth and development are:
Photosynthesis The process of capturing light energy and converting it
to sugar energy, in the presence of chlorophyll using carbon dioxide and
water.
Respiration The process of metabolizing (burning) sugars to yield energy
for growth, reproduction, and other life processes.
Transpiration The loss of water vapor through the stomata of leaves.

Photosynthesis
A primary difference between plants and animals is the plants ability
to manufacture its own food. In photosynthesis,carbon dioxide from

the air and water from the soil react with the suns energy to
form photosynthates (sugars, starches, carbohydrates, and
proteins) and release oxygen as a byproduct. [Figure 1]

Figure 1. In photosynthesis, the plant uses water and nutrients from the soil, and
carbon dioxide from the air with the suns energy to create photosynthates.
Oxygen is releases as a byproduct.

Photosynthesis literally means to put together with light. It occurs

only in the chloroplasts, tiny sub-cellular structures contained in the
cells of leaves and green stems. A simple chemical equation for
photosynthesis is given in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Simple chemical equation for photosynthesis.

This process is directly dependent on the supply of water, light, and

carbon dioxide. Limiting any one of the factors on the left side of the
equation (carbon dioxide, water, or light) can limit photosynthesis
regardless of the availability of the other factors. An implication of
drought or severe restrictions on landscape irrigation is a reduction in
photosynthesis and thus a decrease in plant vigor and growth.
In a tightly closed greenhouse there can be very little fresh air
infiltration and carbon dioxide levels can become limiting, thus
limiting plant growth. In the winter, many large commercial
greenhouses provide supplemental carbon dioxide to stimulate plant
growth.
The rate of photosynthesis is somewhat temperature dependent. For
example, with tomatoes, when temperatures rise above 96F the rate

of food used by respiration rises above the rate of which food is

manufactured by photosynthesis. Plant growth comes to a stop and
produce loses its sweetness. Most other plants are similar. [Figure 3]

Respiration
In respiration, plants (and animals) convert the sugars
(photosynthates) back into energy for growth and other life processes
(metabolic processes). The chemical equation for respiration shows
that the photosynthates are combined with oxygen releasing energy,
carbon dioxide, and water. A simple chemical equation for respiration
is given below. Notice that the equation for respiration is the opposite
of that for photosynthesis. [Figure 4.]

Figure 4. Simple equation for respiration.

Chemically speaking, the process is similar to the oxidation that

occurs as wood is burned, producing heat. When compounds
combine with oxygen, the process is often referred to as burning,
for example, athletes burn energy (sugars) as they exercise. The
harder they exercise, the more sugars they burn so the more oxygen
they need. That is why at full speed, they are breathing very fast.
Athletes take up oxygen through their lungs. Plants take up oxygen
through the stomata in their leaves and through their roots.
Again, respiration is the burning of photosynthates for energy to grow
and to do the internal work of living. It is very important to
understand that both plants and animals (including microorganisms)
need oxygen for respiration. This is why overly wet or saturated soils
are detrimental to root growth and function, as well as the
decomposition processes carried out by microorganisms in the soil.

The same principles regarding limiting factors are valid for both
photosynthesis and respiration.
Table 1.
Comparison of photosynthesis and respiration
Photosynthesis

Respiration

Produces sugars from light energy

Stores energy
Occurs only in cells with chloroplasts
Releases oxygen
Uses water
Uses carbon dioxide
Requires light

Burns sugars for energy

Releases energy
Occurs in most cells
Uses oxygen
Produces water
Produces carbon dioxide
Occurs in dark and light