Respiration is a process that occurs in all living organisms, including plants and animals. It is the process of taking in oxygen from the environment and releasing carbon dioxide.


Cellular respiration, on the other hand, is a specific type of respiration that occurs within the cells of organisms. It is the process by which cells break down organic molecules, such as glucose, to release energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).


There are several key differences between respiration and cellular respiration:

1. Scope: Respiration is a broader term that refers to the overall process of exchanging gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) with the environment. It includes both external respiration, which occurs in organs like lungs or gills, and internal respiration, which takes place within cells. On the other hand, cellular respiration specifically refers to the metabolic process that occurs within cells.

2. Location: Respiration can occur in different parts of an organism, depending on its complexity. In humans and many animals, external respiration occurs in specialized organs like lungs, while plants perform respiration through structures like stomata. Cellular respiration, however, takes place within the mitochondria of cells, which are the energy-producing organelles.

3. Energy Production: Respiration is primarily involved in gas exchange and maintaining the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body. It does not directly produce energy. In contrast, cellular respiration is an energy-producing process. It involves a series of chemical reactions within the mitochondria that break down glucose and other organic molecules to generate ATP, the main energy currency of cells.

4. Metabolic Pathway: Respiration involves the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide through simple diffusion. Cellular respiration, on the other hand, is a complex metabolic pathway that involves several steps, including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. These reactions occur within specific cellular structures and involve various enzymes and coenzymes.

In summary, respiration is a general term for the exchange of gases, while cellular respiration is a specific process that occurs within cells to produce energy. Cellular respiration is a crucial metabolic pathway that allows organisms to generate ATP for various cellular functions.

Breathing involves inhale of oxygen from the atmoshphere into the lungs and exhale of carbondioxide from the lungs into the atmoshphere whereas cellular respiration involves breakdown of glucose into carbondioxide and water in living cells realising energy