Why do living things need oxygen?

Answer 1

• Cells require oxygen in the process of respiration: Glucose + oxygen carbon dioxide + water + energy (in the form of ATP)
• Carbon dioxide is a waste product and must be removed to maintain the normal pH balance of the blood. By removing excess carbon dioxide, it prevents a build up of carbonic acid, which causes the lowering of the pH, and therefore increasing breathing rate and depth. Carbonic acid forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in water. At normal levels, (after excess removal of carbon dioxide) the carbon dioxide - bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) equilibrium is an important mechanism for buffering the blood to maintain a constant pH.

Answer 2

Living things need oxygen for cellular respiration, a process that converts glucose into energy. Oxygen is used as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, which generates ATP, the energy currency of cells. Without oxygen, organisms cannot efficiently produce the energy needed to carry out essential life functions.

Answer 3

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In order for humans to survive, our bodies have figured out various ways to extract energy from out surroundings.


One of the ways is with food, which provides out cells with raw materials to make, repair and replace out cells as needed.


A different kind of energy we need is that which allows us to make use of these raw materials. The body has figured out a way to extract this from oxygen. When you inhale, the oxygen in the air is absorbed into your bloodstream through tiny sacs in your lungs, called alveoli.


As soon as the oxygen enters your blood, a passing protein molecule called hemoglobin picks it up. Each molecule of hemoglobin can transport four molecules of oxygen to almost anywhere in the body.


The hemoglobin transport the oxygen to your cells where another protein, called cytochrome C oxidase makes two molecules of water out of every molecules of oxygen delivered to it.


If you think about it, water is plentiful on earth. This tells us that if you have the individuals ingredients for water around each other, chances are water will be made. When this happens, there is a little bit of energy released. This protein cytochrome C oxidase, mixes the ingredients for water and harvests the released energy. The cells then use the energy to perform the everyday functions that your body needs.

http://www.pa.msu.edu/sciencet/ask_st/013196.html

Answer 4

They don't. Only respirators require oxygen. Plants don't really need it, although they do take advantage of it when the lights are out. Anerobic bacteria doesn't need it, doesn't use it, and, in fact, will die if oxygen gets at them.

Answer 5

Not all living organisms need oxygen (for example yeast and some types of bacteria-it actually will harm them), but the things that do need oxygen need it because it is needed for many chemical processes in the body.

Answer 6

All living things need oxygen to breathe because they need it to burn food and produce energy

Answer 7

Because Oxygen releases energy stored in the foods that carbon based life requires to survive.