IGCSEScienceCambridge (CIE)Combined ScienceBiologyRevision Notes12. RespirationRespirationAerobic Respiration

Aerobic Respiration (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Combined Science: Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: 0653

Phil

Written by: Phil

Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn

Updated on

Cambridge (CIE) Combined Science: BiologyCambridge (CIE) Biology

Respiration is a chemical reaction

  • Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and is defined as the chemical reactions in cells that use oxygen to break down nutrient molecules to release energy

  • It is the complete breakdown of glucose to release a relatively large amount of energy for use in cell processes

  • It produces carbon dioxide and water as well as releasing useful cellular energy 

  • The word equation for aerobic respiration is:

glucose + oxygen →carbon dioxide + water

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Remember this equation is the same as the photosynthesis equation, only the other way around, so if you know one, you know the other one too!

Balanced chemical equation for aerobic respiration: Extended

  • The balanced chemical equation for aerobic respiration is:

C6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O

Examiner Tips and Tricks

There are usually 3 marks given for the aerobic respiration chemical equation in an exam:

  • one for getting the correct formula for glucose and oxygen

  • one for getting the correct formula for carbon dioxide and water

  • one for balancing the equation correctly

So make sure you can do all three to gain maximum marks!

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Author
Reviewer
Phil

Author: Phil

Expertise: Biology Content Creator

Phil has a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham, followed by an MBA from Manchester Business School. He has 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience, teaching Biology in schools before becoming director of a growing tuition agency. He has also examined Biology for one of the leading UK exam boards. Phil has a particular passion for empowering students to overcome their fear of numbers in a scientific context.

Jenna Quinn

Reviewer: Jenna Quinn

Expertise: Content Creator

Jenna studied at Cardiff University before training to become a science teacher at the University of Bath specialising in Biology (although she loves teaching all three sciences at GCSE level!). Teaching is her passion, and with 10 years experience teaching across a wide range of specifications – from GCSE and A Level Biology in the UK to IGCSE and IB Biology internationally – she knows what is required to pass those Biology exams.