Universal Survival
Universal survival describes how cellular respiration is performed by all living things—from bacteria to mammals—to break down food and access the energy needed to power metabolism. In Amplify Science (California) Grade 7, Chapter 2: Cellular Respiration in Ecosystems, students learn that even plants, which make their own food through photosynthesis, must also perform cellular respiration to use that energy.
Key Concepts
From microscopic bacteria to large mammals, every organism relies on cellular respiration to power its metabolism. It is the fundamental process of staying alive.
Common Questions
Do all living things perform cellular respiration?
Yes, all living organisms—including plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria—perform cellular respiration to break down food molecules and release energy for their life processes.
Why do plants need cellular respiration if they do photosynthesis?
Plants make food (glucose) through photosynthesis, but they cannot use that energy directly. They must perform cellular respiration to break down the glucose and convert its energy into usable cellular energy.
What is cellular respiration?
Cellular respiration is the process all living things use to break down energy storage molecules (like glucose) and release the energy stored in chemical bonds. It produces CO2 and water as byproducts.
Where is cellular respiration taught in Amplify Science Grade 7?
Universal survival through cellular respiration is covered in Amplify Science (California) Grade 7, Chapter 2: Cellular Respiration in Ecosystems.