Class 10 Science


Respiration

The process by which a living being utilizes the food to get energy is called respiration. Respiration is an oxidation reaction in which carbohydrate is oxidized to produce energy. Mitochondrion is the site of respiration and the energy released is stored in the form of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). ATP is stored in mitochondria and is released as per need.

These notes are based on the chapter life processes from class 10 science NCERT book and CBSE syllabus.

  • Steps of respiration
  • Types of respiration

Steps of Respiration

There are two main steps in respiration. Glucose breaks down into pyruvate in the first step. The second step involves processing of pyruvic acid.

Breaking down glucose into pyruvate

This step happens in the cytoplasm. Glucose molecule is broken down into pyruvic acid. Glucose molecule is composed of 6 carbon atoms, while pyruvic acid is composed of 3 carbon atoms.

Fate of Pyruvic Acid

Further breaking down of pyruvic acid takes place in mitochondria and the molecules formed depend on the type of respiration in a particular organism. Respiration is of two types, viz. aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.

Types of Respiration

Aerobic Respiration

This type of respiration happens in the presence of oxygen. Pyruvic acid is converted into carbon dioxide. Energy is released and water molecule is also formed at the end of this process.

Anaerobic Respiration

This type of respiration happens in the absence of oxygen. Pyruvic acid is either converted into ethyl alcohol or lactic acid. Ethyl alcohol is usually formed in case of anaerobic respiration in microbes; like yeast or bacteria. Lactic acid is formed in some microbes as well as in the muscle cells.

Glucose (6 carbon molecule) ⇨ Pyruvate (3 carbon molecule) + Energy

Pyruvate (In yeast: lack of O2 ) ⇨ Ethyl alcohol + Carbon dioxide + Energy

C6H12O6 ⇨ C2H5OH + CO2

Pyruvate (In muscles: lack of O2 ) ⇨ Lactic Acid + Energy

C6H12O6 ⇨ CH3CHOHCOOH

Pyruvate (In mitochondria: presence of O2 ) ⇨ Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy

C6H12O6 ⇨ 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy

Pain in Leg Muscles on Running

When someone runs too fast, he may experience a throbbing pain in leg muscles. This happens because of anaerobic respiration taking place in the muscles. During running, the energy demand from muscle cells increases. This is compensated by anaerobic respiration and lactic acid is formed in the process. The deposition of lactic acid causes pain in leg muscles. The pain subsides after taking rest for some time.

Exchange of Gases

For aerobic respiration, organisms need a continuous supply of oxygen, and carbon dioxide produced during the process needs to be removed from the body. Different organisms use different methods for intake of oxygen and expulsion of carbon dioxide.

Diffusion is the method which is utilized by unicellular and some simple organisms for this purpose. In plants also, diffusion is utilized for exchange of gases.

In complex animals, respiratory system does the job of exchange of gases. Gills are the respiratory organs for fishes. Fishes take in oxygen (which is dissolved in water) through gills. Since availability of oxygen is less in aquatic environment so the breathing rate of aquatic organisms is faster. Insects have a system of spiracles and tracheae which is used for taking in oxygen.

Terrestrial organisms have developed lungs for exchange of gases. Availability of oxygen is not a problem in terrestrial environment so breathing rate is slower compared to what it is in fishes.

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