Question

Difference between Respiration and Combustion.

Answer 1

Difference between Respiration and Combustion :

	Respiration	Combustion
1.	Respiration being a biological process occurs in living cells.	Combustion is non-biological process and hence it is non-cellular.
2.	It is a biochemical process.	It is a physio-chemical process.
3.	Respiration is the slow oxidation of organic substances (glucose), which results in stepwise release of energy.	Combustion is a rapid oxidation of a substrate like (coal) and results in the release of the energy abruptly.
4.	Less than 50% energy is liberated as heat.	Most of the energy is liberated as heat.
5.	Light is liberated in rare cases.	Light is produced during combustion.
6.	The heat evolved during respiration is stepwise, hence it does not harm the cells and organelles.	The heat evolved during combustion is abrupt hence it raises the temperature which results in fire.
7.	Many intermediates are produced which are used for the synthesis of many organic compounds.	No intermediate are produced.
8.	Most of the energy is trapped in ATP molecules.	ATP is not formed.
9.	Respiration reactions are catalyzed by enzymes.	Enzymes are not used in combustion.