Round 2:Why do we need oxygen in our cells?

Round 2:Why do we need oxygen in our cells?

All cells in our body need oxygen to create energy. (1) Cells create energy, however, they also create carbon dioxide. We get oxygen by breathing in the fresh air, and we remove carbon dioxide from the body by breathing out air.

Our bodies process three things: food, liquid, and oxygen. And while we might enjoy the food and the liquid more, it’s the oxygen that actually provides the fuel that runs our body. Oxygen, through a process called cellular respiration (2), chemically changes food and liquid into energy. Body cells use oxygen to transfer the energy stored in food to a usable form. It’s this “oxygen fire” that makes our muscles, repairs our cells, helps our brains to function, and also helps our nerves. 

Not only that, but breathing is the most important thing in our body. CO2 is produced from the reaction and this is toxic to our bodies so we have to get rid of it.  

Every day, our body burns about seven billion old cells. Breathing in and out is just a physical process and not respiration. When we talk about respiration we mean chemical reaction. During respiration, energy is produced called ATP (3). 

in humans.



in plants
















4 Replies to “Round 2:Why do we need oxygen in our cells?”

  1. Peter,
    firstly, great job on your second round of research! ​It was really interesting to learn that everyday, the body burns about seven million old cells!
    I am looking forward to your next round of research! Here are a few sites you may find helpful for your next round of research:

    Best of luck!

  2. Hi Lokshana!
    Thank you for the reply. My next round of research will be how can we train ourselves to hold our breath for a long time. What i found surprising is how important oxygen is to our body.

    • Hi Peter!
      Cool Research! And yes, it is surprising to see all the cool things oxygen can do to our body. Science, in general, is a mystery and its discovery is mind-blowing 🙂

  3. Hi Peter!
    Great round of research! it is very detailed. What will your next post look like? And did you find anything surprising when you did your research on Oxygen or the respiratory system?

    Lokshana 🙂

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