Final answer:
Cells perform their functions through cellular respiration, which transforms glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. Glucose comes from digestion of food and oxygen from respiration, both of which are circulated by the cardiovascular system, demonstrating the intricate relationships between the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the System Helps Cells Function
The system in question is cellular respiration, a vital process for the survival of cells. This process requires glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and, most importantly, energy in the form of ATP. Glucose is a simple sugar that is derived from the foods we eat and is processed during digestion. It enters cells via the circulatory system. Oxygen, essential for cellular respiration, is delivered to cells by the respiratory system and circulated through the body via the circulatory system.
The complete reaction of cellular respiration can be represented as:
This equation shows that glucose (
) reacts with oxygen (
) to produce carbon dioxide
water
), and energy. The energy released is stored in the form of ATP, which can be used for various cellular processes. Water is not only a product of this reaction but also plays a crucial role in other biochemical reactions throughout the cell.
Plants play a fundamental role in this system by carrying out photosynthesis, which produces the oxygen and glucose necessary for cellular respiration. During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water, using energy from sunlight, into glucose and oxygen. Thus, photosynthesis and cellular respiration are interconnected, supporting the survival of both plants and other organisms, including humans.