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Biology Paper 1 · B4 · Lesson 4.5

Aerobic respiration

How living cells transfer energy using oxygen.

Key ideas1 of 3

Respiration happens in cells

Respiration is a set of chemical reactions that transfers energy for living processes. It occurs continuously in living cells, including plant cells. It is exothermic. Breathing moves air; respiration transfers energy in cells.

Energy transferred by respiration supports movement, building larger molecules and keeping mammals warm.

Energy is transferred, not created.

Next: Anaerobic respiration and fermentation →
Topic resources and sources

Daily 5 · Core exam practice · Higher Tier questions · A4 revision sheet

Lessons 4.1–4.8 cover the core. Lessons 4.9–4.10 are Higher Tier only. Daily 5 practises core facts.

AQA Combined Science Trilogy specification · 4.4.2.1. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Experimental numbers are illustrative.

Photographs: pondweed by Frank Vincentz; dough by ElinorD, both CC BY-SA 3.0. Polytunnel by Bob Nichols / USDA, public domain. Images displayed without cropping or other alterations.