Lesson 2 of 5

Aerobic respiration

Goal: Write the word equation for aerobic respiration.

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A boy jogging at a steady pace along a path in a park

Aerobic respiration uses oxygen to release energy from glucose.

glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + waterEnergy is released.

  • Glucose and oxygen are the reactants. Glucose comes from digested food and oxygen from the air you breathe in. The blood carries both to your cells.
  • Carbon dioxide and water are the products. The blood carries the carbon dioxide to the lungs, and you breathe it out.
  • Energy is released. Energy is not a substance, so it is not a reactant or a product.

Pearson Edexcel only: respiration produces a substance called ATP, which provides the energy that the cell uses. You also need the balanced symbol equation: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O

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Key words in this lesson

Respiration A chemical reaction in cells that releases energy from glucose

Aerobic respiration Respiration that uses oxygen

Glucose The sugar that cells break down in respiration

Oxygen The gas that aerobic respiration uses up

Carbon dioxide The gas made in aerobic respiration and in fermentation

Reactant A substance that is used up in a chemical reaction

Product A substance that is made in a chemical reaction

Word equation Shows the reactants and products of a reaction in words

For teachers: AQA 3.9.3 · Pearson Edexcel 1.5 · Cambridge 8Bp.05