AP®BiologyCollege BoardStudy GuidesUnit 3: Cellular EnergeticsCellular RespirationRespiration Overview

Respiration Overview (College Board AP® Biology): Study Guide

Cara Head

Written by: Cara Head

Reviewed by: Naomi Holyoak

Updated on

Respiration & fermentation

  • Cellular respiration releases energy from biological macromolecules to produce ATP

  • Respiration and/or fermentation processes occur in all living organisms

Cellular respiration

  • Cellular respiration is a chemical process that involves the breakdown of biological macromolecules, specifically glucose

  • Aerobic respiration in eukaryotes involves a series of enzyme-controlled reactions that capture energy from biological macromolecules to produce ATP

    • Aerobic cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells

  • Respiration can be summarized in the word equation:

Word equation of aerobic respiration showing glucose and oxygen converting to carbon dioxide and water, with mitochondria depicted in the process.

Fermentation

  • Fermentation, also known as anaerobic respiration, is a chemical reaction that releases energy from macromolecules in the absence of oxygen

    • Fermentation releases less energy than cellular respiration

  • Fermentation pathways are different in different types of organisms, meaning that the products can vary

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Remember that cellular respiration is a chemical process; this should not be confused with breathing.

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Cara Head

    Author: Cara Head

    Expertise: Biology & Psychology Content Creator

    Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding

    Naomi Holyoak

    Reviewer: Naomi Holyoak

    Expertise: Biology Content Creator

    Naomi graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has 8 years of classroom experience teaching Key Stage 3 up to A-Level biology, and is currently a tutor and A-Level examiner. Naomi especially enjoys creating resources that enable students to build a solid understanding of subject content, while also connecting their knowledge with biology’s exciting, real-world applications.