Cellular Respiration

What Does Cellular Respiration Mean?

Cellular respiration is a series of metabolic reactions that occur within the cells of organisms (both plants and animals) to convert biochemical energy derived from nutrients to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and then release waste products.

In horticulture cellular respiration is the conversion of nutrients into usable energy and a release of the waste byproducts such as carbon dioxide. Cellular respiration is the very engine of organic existence.

Maximum Yield Explains Cellular Respiration

The metabolic reactions of cellular respiration break large molecules into smaller ones and release energy in the process. Cellular respiration is an important way for a cell to convert chemical energy to power cellular activity.

ATP is a molecular regulator that is able to store energy derived from nutrients and then release that energy where and when it is needed, shedding the waste products that are not needed.

Chemical energy is stored in ATP and can be used to drive the organism's life processes that require energy. In the case of plants, that includes growth of the plant, the formation of leaves, and supplying the process of photosynthesis with energy.

Although a combustion reaction, cellular respiration doesn’t resemble one because ATP regulates and slows the release of energy.