Summary
Cellular respiration converts glucose to energy that cells can actually use. Without it, the energy molecule could not transfer its energy to our cells. It may not sound like much, but this transfer of energy allows us to move our muscles, blink our eyes, or think for that matter. Cellular respiration makes carbon dioxide as a by-product. But don't worry; photosynthesis can turn that carbon dioxide to food and oxygen in less time than it takes you to finish reading this sentence.

Think Like a Scientist
Now that you have learned about cellular respiration, you should be able to answer the following focus questions:

What components are involved in the process of cellular respiration?
What are the steps and structures involved in the process of cellular respiration?
Talk Like a Scientist
There are new vocabulary terms in this lesson:

Cellular respiration: a set of processes that convert biochemical energy from glucose into an energy molecule that is stored for later use
Metabolic process: an organic process in a cell or organism that is necessary for life
Mitochondria: special structures found in most cells where cellular respiration and energy production take place