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Year 11 - Science

Anaerobic cellular respiration in humans and other organisms

Aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration

Unit Summary

This unit covers cellular respiration as an exothermic reaction in all cells, comparing aerobic and anaerobic processes. It explores cell structures and functions, enhanced by electron microscopy. Emphasis is on conducting experiments, analysing data, and interpreting results.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the reactants and products of anaerobic cellular respiration in humans, plants and microorganisms, and explain where, why and when it takes place.

Key Notes

  • Word and balanced symbol equations for anaerobic cellular respiration in humans, and conditions in which it occurs.
  • Word and symbol equations for anaerobic respiration in plants and micro-organisms, and conditions in which it occurs.
  • Anaerobic cellular respiration takes place only in the cell cytoplasm and does not involve mitochondria.
  • Anaerobic cellular respiration transfers less energy than aerobic cellular respiration, but more quickly.
  • Uses of anaerobic cellular respiration (fermentation) in yeast.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • cellular respiration: an exothermic chemical process that transfers energy for life processes, using glucose as a fuel
  • anaerobic: a process that does not require oxygen
  • lactic acid: a product of anaerobic cellular respiration in humans that causes muscle cramps
  • oxygen debt: the amount of oxygen necessary to remove lactic acid from the body after exercise
  • fermentation: anaerobic cellular respiration in yeast that produces ethanol (a type of alcohol) and carbon dioxide gas

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students sometimes think that plants don't respire, and that they (only) photosynthesise instead.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Word and balanced symbol equations for anaerobic cellular respiration in humans, and conditions in which it occurs. Word and symbol equations for anaerobic respiration in plants and micro-organisms, and conditions in which it occurs.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'cellular respiration'

an exothermic chemical process that transfers energy for life processes, using glucose as a fuel. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students sometimes think that plants don't respire, and that they (only) photosynthesise instead. Correction: This lesson contains examples of plants respiring.

More Lessons In This Unit

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