PROPERTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF  THE CELL

CONTENT

1. Cellular Respiration
2. Excretion
3. Growth

Cellular Respiration

Respiration is the enzymatic breakdown of organic food substances, like glucose, through a series of chemical reactions in the cell to release energy and produce carbon (iv) oxide and water as by-products. Respiration occurs in all living cells.

Now, the energy released during respiration is used by the organism for such activities as synthesis of proteins, lipids and protoplasm; germination; cell division and enlargement leading to growth; movement; transmission of nerve impulses; active transport and maintenance of body temperature. There is variation in the amount of energy used by different organisms depending on their activities. A very active organism like Tiger uses much more energy than a sluggish one, like Chameleon.

The reactions that occur in cellular or tissue respiration are usually represented by the following equation:

The equation represents only a summary of the raw materials and the end products of tissue respiration. The complex pathway of cellular respiration is shown below:

Tissue respiration is divided into two main parts.