Question

why respiration is exothermic?

Answer 1

Respiration is considered as an exothermic reaction because in respiration oxidation of glucose takes place which produces large amount of heat energy.

Answer 2

Answer :-

First of all, what is respiration?

Ans - Respiration is the process of breaking down of carbohydrates to produce energy for the body's metabolic activities.

Now, why is respiration considered to be an exothermic reaction?

Ans - Food items such as potatoes, rice, bread, etc, contain carbohydrates.

These carbohydrates are broken down into simpler forms to form "Glucose".

The glucose formed is then further broken down by cellular processes to produce a high amount of energy in the form of "heat".

Therefore, the liberation of heat, justifies the exothermic character of the process of respiration.

Notes :-

• Respiration is simply opposite to Photosynthesis.

• Glucose = C₆H₁₂O₆