Respiration transfers energy to ATP
Respiration releases energy from organic respiratory substrates and transfers energy to ATP. Cells can then hydrolyse the ATP formed when energy needs to be transferred to cellular processes.
Such processes include active transport, DNA and protein synthesis, and muscle contraction.
Aerobic respiration
Glucose is an important respiratory substrate. When oxygen is available, its aerobic breakdown ultimately forms carbon dioxide and water.
Exam Tip: In respiration answers, distinguish the product from the energy transfer: ATP is produced, whereas energy from respiratory substrates is released and transferred.