Question

What is respiration? How are respiration and burning similar and how are they different?

Answer 1

Respiration is the process of breakdown of the respiratory substrate to release the energy which is constituted in the form of ATP.

Similarities:

• The waste product commonly produced is carbon dioxide.
• Combustion, which is the burning of carbon compounds, which are fossil fuels, is often compared to cellular respiration because the two processes are similar.

Differences:

• Respiration is a biological process. Burning is a chemical process.
• Respiration takes place at a normal temperature. Burning takes place at a high temperature.
• Enzymes are involved in respiration. In burning, enzymes are not involved.

• Respiration is a slow process. Burning is a quick process.