BTEC Level 3 Applied Science Unit 10 Assignment C (Distinction Level)

Introduction to Respiration Breathing and respiration are two separate processes. Breathing is the process of moving air in and out of the lungs (inhalation and exhalation). Respiration is the process in all living organisms where energy, ATP, is produced in cells. ATP is adenosine triphosphate, which is a phosphorylated nucleotide with a similar structure to DNA and RNA. ATP is unable to leave the cell it was produced in. It occurs in the mitochondria, which are found in all animal cells. The mitochondria have two membranes, which are important as they allow the aerobic respiration reactions to be separated from the rest of the cell. There are also enzymes which are important for the Link Reaction and Krebs Cycle stages of respiration. These enzymes are housed in the matrix of the mitochondria. A large surface area is provided by the cristae of the mitochondria, which is important as it allows for many Electron Transport Chains. Why is respiration important? Respiration is required in cells to produce energy, which allows for other processes within the body to function properly. Examples of bodily functions which require the energy produced in respiration are active transport, muscle contraction, synthesising proteins and enzymes from larger molecules, cellulose from glucose, starch from glucose, and amino acids from glucose and nitrates