Why is respiration considered an exothermic reaction explain in short

We know that an exothermic reaction is in which heat is produced or liberated.

Respiration occurs in cells and it is a catabolic process in which food material (glucose) is oxidized.

Respiration 

 

In food, we take bread, rice, sugar, vegetables, etc. they contain carbohydrates  that are converted to glucose during the process of digestion,

In cells, oxidation of glucose takes place, and energy is produced.

 

 `C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2 → 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text {energy}`

Glucose is oxidized and `CO_2` and `H_2O` and energy are released. The energy is released in the form of ATP  which is called the currency of energy.

Glucose is a complex molecule and possesses more energy within chemical bonds. Bonds are broken down in glucose and new bonds are formed in carbon dioxide and water, extra remaining energy during the process is liberated in the form of ATP.

 

So energy is released during the process of respiration, that’s why respiration is considered an exothermic reaction.

Related Topics

1. What happens during a chemical reaction

FAQs

   1.  What is respiration?

Respiration is the  process that occurs in cells, where  glucose is oxidized to produce energy.

 

   2.  How is respiration related to exothermic reactions?

Heat is released during Respiration, so it is an exothermic reaction.

 

   3.  What are the byproducts of respiration?

Carbon dioxide and water are the two byproducts formed during respiration.

   4.  How is the released energy utilized in respiration?

The energy is stored in the form of ATP which is energy currency.