= Cellular respiration
{wiki}
<Cellular respiration> transfers <energy> from chemical fuels into usable forms including <ATP>. <Oxidation> of the fuel is coupled to <reduction> of an <electron acceptor>; the <energy> transfer can support <ATP> synthesis. <Plants> carry out <cellular respiration> as well as <photosynthesis>. Their <biological cells> need usable <energy> in darkness too, and a <seed> can draw on stored fuel during <germination>.<Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark and others>[Biology 2e, §7.1, Electrons and Energy and ATP in Living Systems: redox and energy carriers]{ref}<Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark and others>[Biology 2e, §8.3, The Energy Flow, Figures 8.21–8.22: plant respiration and energy transfer]{ref}
Follow three different accounts: <carbon> moving from fuel to products, <electrons> moving to an <electron acceptor>, and <energy> becoming available for cellular work. They are connected, but an <oxygen> uptake measurement alone does not identify the fuel or count the <ATP> made. The <pea seed respirometry> experiment makes this distinction visible with simple apparatus.
Back to article page
