Respiratory Substrates

Question 1

What is a respiratory substrate?

Answer 1

any biological molecule that can be respired to release energy e.g. carbohydrates, lipids, proteins

respiratory substrate + O2 -> -> -> -> -> -> -> H2O + CO2 + Energy used to make ADP + PI -> ATP

Question 2

Why does every cell need to respire?

Answer 2

• respiration is essential to life
• ATP is needed for all metabolic processes e.g. active transport
• every cell must respire - make respiration
• minimum amount of ATP needed for maximum metabolism
• different respiration substrates have different energy values lipids - proteins - carbs
• proteins only respire when theres no lipids or carbs

Question 3

Describe glucose as a respiratory substrate

Answer 3

glycolysis -> link reaction - produces acetyl coenzyme A - krebs cycle - oxydative phosphorylation
16kJg-1

Question 4

Describe triglycerides as a respiratory substrate

Answer 4

triglycerides - acetyl coenzyme A - krebs cycle - oxidative phosphorylation
38kJg^-1

Question 5

Describe amino acids / proteins as a respiratory substrate

Answer 5

amino acids- acetyl coenzyme A - krebs cycle - oxidative phosphorylation
17kJg^-1