Lesson 1 ·Class 9 · Respiration in Plants · Flow Lab
Aerobic Respiration
Glucose broken down to release ATP.
Follow one glucose molecule as the cell takes its energy apart.
→ → → →
🍬 Step 1 of 5 · Glucose ready
Glucose made in photosynthesis is the fuel. Its energy is locked in chemical bonds.
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy (ATP)
Free play — step through the process at your own pace, and move the slider to see what changes. Switch to when you're ready to test yourself.
Glycolysis happens in the cytoplasm and needs no oxygen; the rest happens in the mitochondria and does.
What this lesson covers
Challenges to clear
- Advance to where oxygen is used.
- Step through the whole breakdown.
The task
Follow one glucose molecule as the cell takes its energy apart.
What this lesson covers
- Glucose ready — Glucose made in photosynthesis is the fuel. Its energy is locked in chemical bonds.
- Glycolysis — In the cytoplasm, glucose is split into two molecules of pyruvic acid. A little ATP is released.
- Into the mitochondria — With oxygen present, pyruvic acid enters the mitochondria for complete breakdown.
- Complete oxidation — Pyruvic acid is fully oxidised to carbon dioxide and water, releasing a large amount of energy.
- ATP released — The energy is stored as ATP — the cell's usable energy currency. Aerobic respiration yields far more ATP than anaerobic.
- C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy (ATP)
Hint
Glycolysis happens in the cytoplasm and needs no oxygen; the rest happens in the mitochondria and does.