Nacl and cellular respiration - Coursework Example

Why sodium chloride (NaCl) has no effect on cellular respiration Cellular respiration is the process by which food molecules like glucose are being oxidized to produce carbon dioxide and molecules of water. The energy released during the breakdown process is in the form of ATP, which is used in cellular activities. The process occurs in all organisms (Meldrum 22).C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O → 12H2O + 6 CO2 NaCl has no effect on the process of cellular respiration because of the following reasons;NaCl has no effect on temperature availability.

Respiration rate is high in warm temperatures than in cold environment regardless of salt availability. This is because the effect of temperature is controlled by the activity of enzymes. Warm temperatures enable enzymes to convert substrate faster to energy without any effect of salt involved (Meldrum 24). State of the cell determines the type of energy transformed from the available nutrients. Even though, the cell may contain salts like NaCl, the most important aspect is the locality of the cell.

Working cells like root have a higher rate of respiration as compared to dormant ones like the seed cells due to extra energy stored (Meldrum 25).Nutrients in a given food substrate contain different compounds and, therefore, not only sodium chloride. Therefore, the availability of different types of nutrients results in different amounts of energy produced during respiration. This explains why energy content from carbohydrates id different from proteins and fats (Meldrum 33)One of the primary requirements of cellular respiration is oxygen availability in the breakdown of food substrate to yield energy.

The oxygen has no salt component, and this, therefore, means the process can take place in any environment that has an adequate supply of oxygen (Meldrum 26). Work CitedMeldrum, Norman U. Cellular Respiration. London: Methuen &, 1934. Print.