Why does an athlete breathe faster and deeper than usual after finishing a race? What kind of respiration happens during running? What are the side effects that occur because of this type of respiration? What is the other type of respiration? Give equations for both types. [5 MARKS]
Fast breathing: 1 Mark
Respiration: 1 Mark
Side effect: 1 Mark
Other type of respiration: 1 Mark
Equations: 1 Mark
Our body needs energy for all activities. While doing heavy exercises like running, there is more demand for energy to perform those activities.
During running, due to lack of oxygen, some muscles may respire anaerobically and form lactic acid. The accumulation of lactic leads to muscle cramps, a side effect of this type of respiration. This respiration in muscle cells in the absence of oxygen is called anaerobic respiration.
Extra oxygen is required to burn this lactic acid into carbon dioxide and water. Hence an athlete breathes faster and deeper than usual after finishing a race.
The other kind of respiration is the aerobic respiration is the process that happens in most of the animals. It involves breaking up of glucose into carbon dioxide and water in the presence of oxygen with release of energy.
Equations:
Aerobic:
C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O
Anaerobic:
C6H12O6=2C2H5OH+2CO2+2ATP