All Cells Respire: Autotrophs and Heterotrophs Both Oxidise Carbon Compounds for EnergyEvery cell needs a continuous supply of ATP to carry out its vital processes.This ATP is produced by the oxidation of carbon compounds such as carbohydrates and lipids in cell respiration.Both autotrophs and heterotrophs respire, so autotrophs release energy this way just as animals do.DefinitionSee other references1Cell respirationCell respiration is a series of metabolic processes that convert energy stored in carbon compounds, such as glucose and fatty acids, into ATP.Common MistakeA common misconception is that only heterotrophs respire.Plants and other autotrophs respire continuously, including at night when they cannot photosynthesise.Why Cells Need the ATP That Respiration ProvidesRelease of ATP during Cellular Respiration.Synthesis of molecules: building DNA, RNA, and proteins.Active transport: moving ions and molecules across cell membranes.Movement: contracting muscles or moving structures inside the cell.Heat production: maintaining body temperature in mammals and birds.How energy is released from ATP.NoteATP cannot be stored in large amounts, so cells must produce it continuously through respiration.How Oxidising Carbon Compounds Produces ATPCarbon compounds such as glucose are oxidised, which releases energy.This energy is used to phosphorylate ADP into ATP.The detailed stages of respiration, including glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, are covered in C1.2.Role of ATPActive recallState the process by which both autotrophs and heterotrophs release energy from carbon compounds.Explain why it is wrong to say that only heterotrophs respire.Outline how the oxidation of glucose leads to the production of ATP.List three cellular processes that depend on ATP.
