Question

Is cellular respiration an oxidation or reduction reaction?

Answer 1

Cellular respiration:

1. Cellular respiration is a set of metabolic processes and reactions that breaks down glucose and produces ATP.
2. Cellular respiration is a redox reaction, i.e., both oxidation & reduction occurs.
3. There is both loss and gain of electrons in respiration. Oxidation refers to electron loss, and reduction refers to electron gain.
4. Here, glucose molecules are oxidized and oxygen molecules are reduced to generate water molecules.
5. Therefore, it is called the oxidation-reduction or redox reaction.