Importance of Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration refers to the various metabolic reactions and processes that occurs within the cells of organisms and involves conversion of energy (Biochemical) into Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) from different nutrients. It is important to note that in the process, wastes are also produced. There are two main types of cellular reactions, Aerobic and Anaerobic respiration. The common aspect of the two types of respiration is that in both cases, energy is produced. The primary difference is that in aerobic reaction, oxygen is involved while in anaerobic reaction no oxygen involved. Cellular Respiration is important for both the plants and animals. Every organism requires energy to carry out their metabolic activities. The energy is also obtained through the breakdown of various nutrients. Focusing on the plants, for the plants to synthesize various materials that they need and grow, cellular respiration must occur. On the other hand, basing the same arguments for the mammals, maintenance of higher temperature and body systems working is a fundamental aspect which is only achieved through the cellular reactions

Cellular Respiration

1.0 Introduction

Cellular respiration refers to the various metabolic reactions and processes that occurs within the cells of organisms and involves conversion of energy (Biochemical) into Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) from different nutrients. It is important to note that in the process, wastes are also produced. According to Hill (2014), the primary reaction that takes place as a result of cellular respiration involves catabolic reaction where larger molecules are broken down into smaller molecules and more energy released during the reactions. It is considered to be an exothermic reaction due to release of heat. The common nutrients that are involved in the reaction involve, amino acids, fatty acids and sugar with oxygen being the electron acceptor. The paper probes cellular reaction under various categories including, anaerobic respiration and anaerobic reaction

2.0 Types of cellular Respiration

There are two main types of cellular reactions, Aerobic and Anaerobic respiration. The common aspect of the two types of respiration is that in both cases, energy is produced. The primary difference is that in aerobic reaction, oxygen is involved while in anaerobic reaction no oxygen involved

2.1 Aerobic Respiration

Aerobic reaction is a type of cellular respiration that requires oxygen molecules in the creation of ATP. Irrespective of fats, proteins and carbohydrates they are fully important in the reaction that takes place in the Krebs cycle. Based on the aerobic reaction, the primary products are water and carbon IV oxide (Harris, 2015). The unique thing for such type of reaction is that the energy that is released is applied in the breaking of ADP bonds and results to the formation of ATP. In understanding of aerobic reaction, it is important to understand glycolysis and citric acid cycle.

2.11 Glycolysis

Glycolysis refers to the metabolic pathway which involves the conversion of glucose. The final product is pyruvate which is a free energy essential for the formation of Adenosine Triphosphate as well as NADH. It takes place under ten different steps of which must be fully adhered to in order to come up with respective final products. In many organisms, glycolysis is known to take place in cytosol.  

2.12 Citric Acid Cycle

The Citric Acid cycle refers to various chemical reactions which profoundly occurs on the aerobic organisms and releases stored energy through efficient oxidation. More importantly, it is also essential to note that citric acid cycle is the source of the common term, the metabolic pathway. From the cycle, NADH is released which is further driven into oxidative phosphorylation pathway. The pathways are linked to each other after which it produces various chemical energy. In addition, in various eukaryotic cells, the cycle takes place in the mitochondria. On the other hand, in cells which lacks mitochondria including the prokaryotic cells, the cycle takes place in the cytosol and further releases effective energy.

2.2 Anaerobic Reaction

Anaerobic reaction is the second type of cellular respiration. In this type of reaction, there is no oxygen that is involved. In this type of reaction, the molecular oxygen is not used for the reaction but the electron acceptor itself. In this reaction, it is also important to note that irrespective of the use of oxygen in the reaction, there is use of phytomere which is a substitute of oxygen (Anderson, 2018). In this type of reaction, the organisms which takes part in the are exposed to non-electron transport chain, and other substances that are used include the nitrates, fumarate and sulfate. It is also important to note that such nutrients have reduced reduction potential as compared to that oxygen. Based on this perspective, it is substantial claiming that aerobic respiration is efficient as compared to anaerobic respiration.

3.0 Importance of Cellular Respiration

Cellular Respiration is important for both the plants and animals. Every organism requires energy to carry out their metabolic activities. The energy is also obtained through the breakdown of various nutrients. Focusing on the plants, for the plants to synthesize various materials that they need and grow, cellular respiration must occur. On the other hand, basing the same arguments for the mammals, maintenance of higher temperature and body systems working is a fundamental aspect which is only achieved through the cellular reactions. Various cells including the brain cells, anaerobically respires to function properly and maintain the body function.

4.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that cellular respiration is one fundamental biological reaction which is important for the growth of both plants and animals.  Consequently, the primary reaction that takes place as a result of cellular respiration involves catabolic reaction where larger molecules are broken down into smaller molecules and more energy released during the reactions. It is considered to be an exothermic reaction due to release of heat.  The production of energy is the major basis of cellular reaction as both the plants and animal require energy for their biological and metabolic activities. Therefore, being living organisms, it is crucial to be able to undertake cellular respiration for survival.

5.0 References

Anderson, J. (2018). Cellular Respiration: Measuring energy consumption during exercise Virtual Lab. Retrieved from Labster: https://www.labster.com/simulations/cellular-respiration/?utm_term=cellular%20respiration&utm_campaign=US%7CS%7CBiology+Simulations&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_tgt=kwd-110888416&hsa_grp=56101937424&hsa_src=g&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_mt=e&hsa_ver=3&hs

Harris, E. H. (2015). The chlamydomonas sourcebook (Vol. 1, pp. 293-302). D. B. Stern, & G. B.

Witman (Eds.). San Diego, CA: Elsevier.

Hill, G. E. (2014). Cellular respiration: the nexus of stress, condition, and ornamentation.

Integrative and comparative biology, 54(4), 645-657.