How food gives energy
Glucose and oxygen.
Food and energy
You get energy from food. But food alone is not enough.
What else does the body need to release energy from food?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Respiration is the process by which nutrients are converted into usable energy, as oxygen breaks down glucose: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy.
Food and energy
You get energy from food. But food alone is not enough.
What else does the body need to release energy from food?
- Oxygen
- Only water
- Only salt
Break down glucose
Press Add oxygen. Then press Break down glucose.
A word equation
Digested food gives glucose, a simple sugar. Oxygen breaks the glucose down, and carbon dioxide, water and energy are made.
Respiration is the process by which nutrients are converted into usable energy, as oxygen breaks down glucose: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy.
Notes
Respiration is the process by which nutrients are converted into usable energy, as oxygen breaks down glucose: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy.
Check yourself
Which two things are on the left side of the equation?
Which of these is made when glucose is broken down?
Which gas is made when glucose is broken down?
What does the energy from respiration help us do?
- Carbon dioxide and water. Those two are on the right side, as products.
- Energy and water. Energy and water are on the right side, as products.
- Glucose and oxygen — correct. Yes!
- Energy — correct. Yes!
- Glucose. Glucose is the food that gets broken down. It is on the left side.
- Oxygen. Oxygen is used to break down the glucose. It is on the left side.
- Oxygen. Oxygen is used to break down the glucose.
- Carbon dioxide — correct. Yes!
- Starch. Starch is a food component, not a gas.
- Nothing. The energy helps us walk, run, play and even think.
- Only sleep. The energy is used for all our activities, such as walking, running, playing and thinking.
- Walk, run, play and even think — correct. Yes!