Cellular respiration is the process that our bodies use to turn food into energy, and it occurs in our cells. The basic chemical equation for cellular respiration is:
\[ \text{C}6\text{H}{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{Energy} \]
In this equation:
- C₆H₁₂O₆ represents glucose (a type of sugar from the food we eat).
- O₂ is oxygen, which we breathe in.
- CO₂ is carbon dioxide, which we breathe out.
- H₂O is water, and energy is released.
When we inhale, we take in oxygen (O₂) and glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) to be used in cellular respiration. The body uses these to create energy, and as a byproduct, it produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).
So, the difference in amounts is:
-
Inhaled:
- More oxygen (O₂) goes in.
- Glucose is also used but isn't directly inhaled.
-
Exhaled:
- We breathe out carbon dioxide (CO₂) and some water vapor (H₂O).
- There is less oxygen in the exhaled air because it has been used in cellular respiration.
The law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed, just changed from one form to another. In this case, the oxygen we inhale is transformed during cellular respiration into carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, even though we use oxygen, we produce more carbon dioxide as a waste product. This explains the different amounts of these gases when we breathe in compared to when we exhale.