• Question: Why do we need oxegen?

    Asked by asiansupreme to Mike, Emma, Cees, Blanka on 29 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Blanka Sengerova

      Blanka Sengerova answered on 29 Jun 2012:


      In order to produce energy in our cells in a reaction called respiration which basically involves the burning of glucose as follows:

      glucose + oxygen –> carbon dioxide + water PLUS energy

    • Photo: Emma Trantham

      Emma Trantham answered on 29 Jun 2012:


      Hi

      We need to breathe in oxygen because we need to get oxygen to our cells (which we do via our blood).
      Our cells need oxygen to respire (which is basically when they make energy from nutrients). Without oxygen our cells would have no energy and so we would die.

      Edited to say: apparently Blanka and I were answering at the same time!

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