oxidationis the combination of a substance with oxygen while. respirationis the process of inhaling and exhaling; breathing, breath.

Respiration vs. Oxidation

Respiration and oxidation are two closely related processes that involve the breakdown of organic molecules to release energy. While they are interconnected, there are some key differences between the two.

Respiration:
- Respiration is a biological process that occurs in living organisms to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
- It involves a series of metabolic reactions that take place in the cells of an organism, specifically in the mitochondria.
- Respiration can be aerobic (requiring oxygen) or anaerobic (not requiring oxygen). Aerobic respiration is the most efficient way to produce ATP.
- In aerobic respiration, glucose is oxidized in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.
- The overall equation for aerobic respiration is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP

Oxidation:
- Oxidation is a chemical process that involves the loss of electrons from a substance.
- It can occur in both living and non-living systems and is essential for the release of energy from organic molecules.
- In the context of respiration, oxidation refers to the breakdown of glucose molecules to release energy.
- During oxidation, glucose is gradually broken down into smaller molecules in a series of oxidation-reduction reactions, releasing energy that is used to generate ATP.
- Oxidation is a key step in the process of respiration, as it allows the organism to extract energy from the food it consumes.

In conclusion, while respiration is a biological process that involves the breakdown of organic molecules to produce energy, oxidation is a chemical process that specifically refers to the loss of electrons from a substance. In the context of respiration, oxidation plays a crucial role in extracting energy from glucose molecules to generate ATP.