Cellular respiration is the process responsible for releasing energy from glucose and antioxidant agents such as glutathione inside cells to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This article will share why cellular respiration is important for the human body.
ATP is the primary energy currency of the cell and is used by all cells to carry out their activities. Without cellular respiration, life would not be possible. There are many reasons why cellular respiration is important and this article will share with you in detail.
Being an energy pathway for most biochemical processes in the body, cellular respiration is undeniably important. The benefits that come with it are essential for human health and without it, we would not be able to survive. Cellular respiration is an essential process that we should all be grateful for.
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15 Benefits of Cellular Respiration For Human Body
Cellular respiration is a vital process that helps to keep us alive. It provides us with the energy we need to carry out all the activities of daily life. The increased energy production that occurs during cellular respiration also helps to prevent heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. So, next time you are feeling low on energy, remember your body is giving you extra – Cellular Respiration!
Here are 15 reasons why cellular respiration is important:
1. Cellular Respiration Produces Energy
It is responsible for breaking down glucose and releasing the energy that it contains in the form of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). Energy is needed for cellular metabolism and all biochemical reactions throughout the body. The ATP molecules provide energy for cells to function by transferring phosphate groups from one molecule to another which leads to a release of energy.
2. Cellular Respiration Decreases Waste Production
Cells produce waste during respiration in excess quantities, including carbon dioxide and water vapor. Carbon dioxide is released as a gas. The water vapor is released as a liquid through the skin and urine.
3. Cellular Respiration Eliminates Harmful Toxins
The toxins that cells produce during respiration must be eliminated from the body or they will cause harm. The toxins are eliminated in the form of carbon dioxide and water vapor.
4. Cellular Respiration Prevents Acidosis
Increased cellular respiration causes increased production of carbon dioxide which leads to an acidic state in the body. This is known as acidosis and it can cause serious health problems such as decreased enzyme efficiency, poor digestion, increased blood pressure, muscle weakness, headaches, acid reflux, asthma, nausea, and difficulty focusing.
Related Video – Cellular Respiration Steps
5. Cellular Respiration Supports Cell Division
The increased energy provided by cellular respiration allows cells to divide and reproduce. This is the main way that the human body repairs itself to remove damaged cells and keep it running efficiently.
6. Cellular Respiration Supports Protein Synthesis
Proteins are one of the major building blocks of the human body and cells produce more protein during cellular respiration. Cells use ATP to convert glucose into pyruvate molecules which are then used in the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle. This is how cells create proteins from amino acids.
7. Cellular Respiration Supports Tissue Repair
Tissues such as muscles, nerves, and the immune system require energy from cellular respiration to repair themselves. This is one of the main ways cells create new tissues throughout the body to replace old or damaged ones.
8. Cellular Respiration Supports Glycolysis
Glycolysis is a process that takes place in the cytosol where glucose can be broken down into pyruvate molecules which then enter the Krebs cycle. This process requires energy and it occurs without oxygen because there isn’t enough glucose in each cell for this process to happen at a fast rate if oxygen was present.
If oxygen could enter each cell, glycolysis would not occur at all because it could take place in mitochondria inside cells where there’s plenty of oxygen.
9. Cellular Respiration Helps Maintain Normal Body Temperature
The body needs energy from cellular respiration to maintain a normal body temperature. The cells in the body produce heat as they carry out their activities and this must be balanced with the amount of heat that is lost to the environment. If the cells don’t have enough energy, the body will become too cold and you will shiver. If the cells produce too much heat, the body will become too hot and you will sweat.
10. Cellular Respiration Prevents Dehydration
The water vapor that is released during cellular respiration helps to prevent dehydration by replacing the water that is lost through sweating and urination.
11. Cellular Respiration Enhances Athletic Performance
Athletes need energy from cellular respiration to perform their best. The increased energy production allows them to exercise for longer periods without becoming tired and it also helps them to recover more quickly after a workout.
12. Cellular Respiration Reduces The Risk Of Heart Disease
Heart disease is caused by a build-up of plaque in the arteries. This plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, and other substances. Cellular respiration produces carbon dioxide which can help to break down this plaque and reduce the risk of heart disease.
13. Cellular Respiration Prevents Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that is caused by a loss of bone mass. The cells in bones need energy from cellular respiration to stay healthy and strong. If the cells don’t have enough energy, the bones can become weak and brittle and you may develop osteoporosis.
14. Cellular Respiration Reduces The Risk Of Cancer
Cancer is caused by the growth of abnormal cells in the body. These cells require a lot of energy from cellular respiration to grow and divide. The increased energy production that occurs during cellular respiration helps to prevent cancer cells from growing and dividing.
15. Cellular Respiration Keeps Us Alive
This one is pretty obvious – without cellular respiration, we would not be alive! The increased energy production that occurs during cellular respiration provides us with the energy we need to carry out all the activities of daily life. Without cellular respiration, our bodies would not be able to function properly.
The Importance Of Cellular Respiration – Conclusion
Now you know why cellular respiration is important. Cellular respiration is a vital process that helps to keep us alive. It provides us with the energy we need to carry out all the activities of daily life. The increased energy production that occurs during cellular respiration also helps to prevent heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. So, next time you are feeling low on energy, remember that you can thank cellular respiration for keeping you going!
As you can see, cellular respiration is extremely important for human health. It provides us with the energy we need to carry out all of our activities and it helps to keep our bodies healthy. Cellular respiration is not something we should take for granted and these reasons speak for themselves as to why – it’s the reason we’re all alive!