Oxidation of organic food particularly carbohydrates in living cells to release energy is called respiration.
Similarities between burning and respiration are —
- Oxygen is required by both.
- Energy is released by both.
- The outcome of both is water and carbon dioxide.
Differences between burning and respiration:
| Respiration | Burning |
|---|---|
| Cellular process | Non-cellular process |
| Occurs at body temperature | Occurs at high temperature (at ignition point) |
| Occurs in a series of chemical steps | Occurs in a single step |
| Carried out by enzymes | Carried out by heat |
| Biochemical process | Physico-chemical process |
| Energy released as ATP and heat | Energy released as heat and light |
| Light energy is not produced | Light energy is produced |