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Our metabolisms take advantage of a reaction between oxygen gas and compounds such as glucose to release energy. Oxygen compounds do not contain the same energy and do not react in quite the same way with other substances, so we cannot use them. Most substances that are as reactive as oxygen are toxic, but we have adapted specifically to be able to use oxygen.

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8y ago
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6mo ago

Oxygen is a highly reactive element, which means it can form strong bonds with other elements to create compounds. Once oxygen is bound to another element in a compound, it is no longer available for respiration because it is already part of a molecule. In compounds, oxygen may be in a form that does not release free oxygen atoms for cellular respiration.

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Q: Why can you not use oxygen in compounds to breathe?
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