Free Essay: Factors Affecting Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration is a process through which nutrients are transformed into energy. There are various kinds of nutrients that can go through the process of cellular respiration like glucose, fats and certain acids. Through this process, more energy is produced that is able to sustain life for an extended period of time. However, cellular respiration is based on quite a number of factors as illustrated below.
Temperature is among the factors affecting cellular respiration. It is believed that whenever temperatures of the environment are high, cellular respiration occurs at a faster rate. On the other hand, the process gets slower when the temperatures are on the low. People who reside in environments that are warmer restore their energy with so much ease provided that there are sufficient nutrients in the body. This is because the enzymes are easily broken down and transformed into energy within a short period of time. Temperature only affects the rate of cellular respiration but does not impact the amount of energy produced. Currently, there are no studies that have proven that more energy can be produced when the temperatures are high.
The amount of nutrients available in the body is yet another factor that affects the rate of cellular respiration. If the amount of nutrients is high, there is a higher chance that more energy will be produced during cellular respiration. Fats, carbohydrates and proteins are among the nutrients that can be transformed into energy through the cellular respiration process. The amount of nutrients that can be transformed into energy depends on the diet of an individual. There are three stages that take place in cellular respiration; glycolysis, cytochrome and Kreb’s cycle.
In the process of cellular respiration, carbohydrates are transformed into glucose while proteins are broken down and passed onto glycolysis. Fats on the other hand are taken through the citric acid cycle. Glycolysis and the Kreb’s Cycle occur in the cell cytoplasm and matrix of the mitochondria respectively. The citric acids cycle, that is also referred to as the Electron Transport Chain occurs in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. The first step in the process of cellular respiration is glycolysis followed by the Kreb’s cycle and electron transport chain in that order.
The other factor affecting rate of cellular respiration is the cell that is going through the process. Cells that are operational like roots of the human hair or neurons undergo a higher rate of cellular respiration compared to dormant ones like plant seeds. The reason for this is because working cells have the ability for storage of extra energy in the body. Dormant cells on the other hand, often tend to remain non-motile for a period of time. As a result of this, plant cells do not usually require the storage of more energy compared to human or even animal cells. This explains why cellular respiration in plant cells is quite different from that which animal and human cells go through.
Find free essays online and other academic research papers like the one above on the Factors Affecting Cellular Respiration on this blog.
The essay above on the Factors Affecting Cellular Respiration is among the many you will find online at Best Essay Writing Services. If you need assistance in writing essays term papers and other academic research at college or university level get in touch with us and we will help you.
Reference:
http://www.ehow.com/list_6417883_factors-affecting-cellular-respiration.html
http://www.answers.com/Q/Three_factors_that_affect_cellular_respiration