Cellular Respiration 101
The word "cellular" means "having to do with" these.
Cells
The two molecules that are inputs for cellular respiration.
Answer: Glucose and oxygen
Diego and Gabe ate oatmeal for breakfast, which was full of this large molecule that breaks down into glucose.
Answer: Starch
This body system breaks food down into smaller molecules.
Answer: Digestive system
The three states of matter you see every day.
Answer: Solid, liquid, and gas
The tiny cell parts where cellular respiration happens.
Answer: Mitochondria
The two molecules that are outputs of cellular respiration.
Answer: Carbon dioxide and water
Digestive enzymes break protein molecules into these smaller molecules.
Answer: Amino acids
This body system brings oxygen into the body.
Answer: Respiratory system
The process plants use to make their own food (glucose) using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Answer: Photosynthesis
True or False: Cellular respiration only happens when you're exercising.
Answer: False. It happens all the time, even when you're sitting still or sleeping.
Besides molecules, cellular respiration releases this, which powers everything cells do.
Answer: Energy
While climbing, Diego started breathing faster and feeling hungry. Why?
Answer: His muscle cells used up oxygen and glucose quickly and sent signals to his brain that they needed more.
This body system carries molecules to every cell in the body.
Answer: Circulatory system
The force that pulls objects toward Earth and keeps the planets orbiting the Sun.
Answer: Gravity
Cellular respiration is more than cells "breathing." It's this type of reaction that releases energy.
Answer: A chemical reaction
Plants take in sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make food. What two things are the outputs of photosynthesis?
Answer: Glucose and oxygen
Diego had trouble concentrating during his big decision. What might his brain cells have been running low on?
Answer: Glucose or oxygen (needed for cellular respiration)
Name the three molecules our unit tracks that cells need.
Answer: Glucose, oxygen, and amino acids
The smallest unit of a chemical element. Water molecules are made of these.
Answer: Atoms
True or False: Only muscle cells and brain cells do cellular respiration.
Answer: False. Mitochondria in cells all over the body do cellular respiration all the time.
When wood burns in a campfire, it needs this input from the air, and it gives off heat and light as outputs. What is the input?
Answer: Oxygen
Compared to other cells in the body, how much energy do brain cells release and use?
Answer: Twice as much
In The Big Climb, Diego’s arm muscles pull on these to make his movements happen. What body system are they part of?
Answer: Bones, which are part of the skeletal system
In an experiment, this is the one thing you change on purpose to test its effect.
Answer: The independent variable