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 substrate such as glucose to release the energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate).

Similarities:

• Burning and respiration processes require oxygen.
• Burning or combustion is similar to respiration, as both processes liberate energy.
• The end product commonly produced is carbon dioxide and water

Differences:

Respiration	Burning/combustion
It is a biochemical process.	It is a physico-chemical process
It takes place at a normal body temperature	It takes place at a high temperature ( at ignition point)
Various respiratory enzymes are involved in the reaction.	No enzymes are involved in the process.
It occurs in a series of chemical steps	Occurs in a single step.
Energy is liberated in the form of ATP and some heat.	The total energy is liberated as heat and light.
It is a cellular process.	It is a Non-cellular process.