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Respiration and Combustion are chemically different from each other. Generally, life processes need the type of energy that is produced by the natural human body. The release of energy is regulated by the human body. In our living life, there are some essential processes for an individual to live and it includes metabolism, movement, organization, reproduction, and responsiveness. There is one more vital process which is termed Respiration and this process includes and involves Energy Production.
What is Respiration?
Respiration is the phenomenon wherein an organic compound is broken due to oxidation to release CO2, energy, and water. It is a cellular process. Different activities are performed using this released energy. The breaking down of the organic compounds happens internally this respiration process is known as ‘Internal Respiration’. Respiration takes place automatically in our body hence it is also termed Involuntary Action (it depends upon the reactions and reactants).
Respiration only happens in the human body and living cells to obtain energy. O2 is needed in the last and final stage of respiration which is the electron transport chain wherein oxygen gets converted into water. Respiration happens due to numerous and various enzymes. Human Body cells contain Mitochondria where respiration takes place. As glucose is oxidized because of oxygen to form CO2 and H2O this process is known as Metabolic Process.
Types of Respiration
There are two types of respiration- Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration.
Aerobic Respiration is a type of cellular respiration which happens in the presence of oxygen and produces energy. This type of respiration takes place in both animals and plants. Water [H2O] and Carbon Dioxide [CO2] are two end products in this respiration process.
Anaerobic Respiration is that type of respiration that happens in the absence of oxygen [O2]. Here the breaking down of glucose happens without oxygen.
The energy which is produced while the process where ATP is present (ATP- Adenosine Triphosphate) which is rather called a molecule of energy- energy molecule. A human body takes oxygen in and releases CO2- Carbon Dioxide, wherein the plants inhale CO2 and release O2 during the process of respiration.
Respiration is a biochemical process, and thus it can be controlled by the human body.
What is Combustion?
Combustion is a non-cellular process as it does not occur inside the living cell. It is the chemical process or termed as a reaction between oxygen and fuel (Hydrocarbon). After the oxygen and fuel react, it releases light energy and heat. Light energy and Heat after this result in flame.
The formula for Combustion Reaction-
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen = Heat Energy
Combustion is used in rocket engines and car motors and many other types of machinery. Combustion is also known as burning. It is termed as a fast process that releases light energy and heat. This combustion process consists of one step and it does not require enzymes. This process has wide industrial applications.
The exothermic general reaction of combustion is expressed as-
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide + Water + Heat Energy
Types of Combustion
There are typically 5 different types of combustion. Those are-
- Complete Combustion
- Incomplete Combustion
- Rapid Combustion
- Spontaneous Combustion
- Explosive Combustion
Difference Between Respiration and Combustion
| Respiration | Combustion |
|---|---|
| It is a cellular process as it happens inside a cell. | It is a non-cellular process. |
| ATP is formed here, as most of the energy is in ATP. | No ATP is formed |
| It is a controlled process. | It is an uncontrolled process. |
| Here energy is released in steps which are in the form of ATP. | Here energy is released in just a single step which is in the form of heat. |
| As the rise in temperature damages the cell it is not allowed to rise. | Here, the temperature is very high, which is usually higher than respiration. |
| It does not require external heat at all because it is the process of oxidation of food materials. | External heat is required in this process to burn sugar. In this process, as the sugar is burned, it is burned to form H2O and CO2. |
| This process is way more efficient. | This process is less efficient. |
| It is a biochemical process. | It is a physio-chemical process. |
| Enzymes are required here for each step/ reaction. | It does not require enzymes. |
| Intermediaries are formed over here and are utilized in the synthesis of numerous organic compounds. | Here no intermediaries are produced. |
| It uses glucose to give carbon dioxide and pyruvate. First Pyruvate and then carbon dioxide. | The produced heat is utilized immediately. |
| In respiration, there is no formation of smoke. | Here in combustion with smoke formation, even oxides are produced. |
Also Read:
| Difference Between Chromosome and Chromatid | Difference Between Egestion and Excretion |
| Difference Between Cyclic and Noncyclic Photophosphorylation | Difference Between Transpiration and Evaporation |
Respiration and Combustion: Similarities
- Respiration process involves the burning of the substrate.
- Both the processes result in energy being released.
- In both the processes of respiration and combustion, oxidation is the process through which substances undergo in the presence of oxygen.
- Both the process produces by-products and forms oxides.
- Both the processes use oxygen.
- At the end of both processes, carbon dioxide is the end product.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
Things to Remember
- Chemically combustion and respiration are different from each other.
- In our living life, there are some essential processes for an individual to live and it includes metabolism, movement, organization, reproduction, and responsiveness.
- There is one more vital process which is termed Respiration and this process includes and involves Energy Production.
- Both the process, respiration process involve the burning of the substrate.
- Both the processes are liberated energy.
- In both the processes of respiration and combustion, oxidation is the process through which substances undergo in the presence of oxygen.
Also Read:
Sample Questions
Ques. What is required for the process of respiration? And which type of process is cellular respiration? (2 marks)
Ans. An element that is required for the process of respiration is Enzymes. Cellular respiration is a continuous process that produces energy. The energy which is produced here is utilized by humans to carry out the life processes such as circulation, digestion, excretion, etc. As these processes are continuous so is the respiration and so is the energy needed. If the energy is produced intermittently, it slows downs the processes and affects the human body.
Ques. What is the basic definition of respiration? (2 marks)
Ans. It is the phenomenon wherein an organic compound is broken due to oxidation to release CO2, energy, and water. It is termed a cellular process. Different activities are performed using this released energy. The breaking down of the organic compounds happens internally this respiration process is known as ‘Internal Respiration’. This process takes place automatically in our body that is the reason it is termed Involuntary Action; it depends upon the reactions and reactants.
Ques. What are the types of respiration? (3 marks)
Ans. There are two types of respiration and those are known as Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration. Aerobic Respiration is a type of cellular respiration which happens in the presence of oxygen and produces energy. This type of respiration takes place in both animals and plants. Water and Carbon Dioxide are two end products in this respiration process. Anaerobic Respiration is that type of respiration that happens in the absence of oxygen. Here the breaking down of glucose happens without oxygen
Ques. How many types of Combustion are there? (3 marks)
Ans. There are in total 5 types of Combustion. Those are-
- Rapid Combustion
- Spontaneous Combustion
- Explosive Combustion
- Complete Combustion
- Incomplete Combustion
Ques. Combustion is which type of process? (2 marks)
Ans. Combustion is termed as a Chemical process. Combustion is used in rocket engines and car motors and many other types of machinery. Combustion is also known as burning. It is termed as a fast process that releases light energy and heat.
Ques. Respiration differs from combustion in which way? (2 marks)
Ans. Respiration is different from combustion in the way that the liberation of energy gradually steps in contrast to combustion. It even differs from combustion in that all energy in glucose is released at one take due to combustion.
Ques. What is the exothermic general reaction of combustion? (2 marks)
Ans. The exothermic general reaction of combustion is as follows-
HYDROCARBON + OXYGEN-CARBON DIOXIDE + WATER+ HEAT ENERGY
All the combustion reactions are exothermic. A substance burns when it combines with releasing energy, oxygen in the form of light and heat.
Ques. What is the basic meaning of Combustion? (2 marks)
Ans. It is termed a non-cellular process as it does not occur inside the living cell. It is the chemical process or termed as a reaction between oxygen and fuel (Hydrocarbon). After the oxygen and fuel react, it releases light energy and heat. Light energy and Heat after this result in flame.
Ques. Which process takes place at high ignition temperature? (2 marks)
Ans. Combustion is the process that takes place at a high ignition temperature. Burning or Combustion is a complex sequence of chemical reactions between an oxidant and a fuel accompanied by the production of both heat or heat and light in the form of glow or flames.
Ques. Why respiration can be controlled and combustion can’t be controlled? (2 marks)
Ans. Respiration is a biochemical process, and thus it can be controlled by the human body and on the other hand, combustion can’t be controlled as is a physio-chemical process and is a non-cellular process.
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