# Explain why cellular respiration is described as both 'universal' and 'exothermic'.

> OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247) — B1.2 What happens in cells (and what do cells need) · Explain · 4 marks

> A student is studying what happens inside living cells. They read that cellular respiration is a continuously occurring chemical process found in all living organisms, and that it releases energy from the breakdown of organic compounds such as glucose.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Cellular respiration is described as 'universal' because it occurs in all living cells
2. It is a continuously occurring process (it never stops in living cells)
3. Cellular respiration is described as 'exothermic' because it releases energy
4. The energy released is in the form of ATP, from the breakdown of organic compounds such as glucose

## Key terms

- [cellular respiration](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/cellular-respiration)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-cellular-respiration-is-described-b87f1715) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.