Briefly explain the process of aerobic cellular respiration.
Aerobic Respiration: Break down of food and release of energy takes place in each and every cell of the body. Aerobic respiration takes place in the following two steps:
First step: The first step does not require oxygen (anaerobic phase). The glucose is only partially broken down into an intermediate compound (pyruvic acid). In this step only a small amount of energy is released.
Second step: This step requires oxygen and, therefore, known as aerobic (in air). The intermediate compound formed by incomplete break down of glucose undergoes complete oxidation into CO2 and H2O. A large amount of energy (38 ATP) is released in this step. The complete oxidation of glucose takes place in the Mitochondria.
Overall reaction of aerobic respiration
C6H12O6 +6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + 2830 kJ (38 ATP).
