Question

Why respiration is called catabolic process?

Answer 1

Respiration:

1. It is the process of breaking down glucose molecules to give out energy in the form of ATP.
2. Respiration is an essential process in all living organisms since it gives out energy for a living organism to sustain.
3. It can occur either in the presence of oxygen (aerobic respiration) or in the absence of Oxygen (anaerobic respiration).

Respiration is considered to be a catabolic reaction because:

1. It involves breaking down complex biomolecular substances such as glucose.
2. The initial breakdown of glucose occurs in the cytoplasm where it is broken down into pyruvate.
3. Then the pyruvate molecules are broken down either aerobically or anaerobically.
4. Aerobic respiration occurs in the mitochondria and produces energy, water, and carbon dioxide.
5. Anaerobic respiration occurs in the muscle cells and yeast cells and produces energy, carbon dioxide, and lactic acid or alcohol.
6. Therefore, respiration can be considered a catabolic reaction.