Why is Respiration an Exothermic Reaction?

Answer:

• Respiration is a method of burning fuel that means it involves the burning of sugar with oxygen within cells of living organisms
• This produces energy needed for all the metabolic reactions of life
• We eat food for the production of energy in our bodies
• At the time of digestion these foods are broken down into simpler compounds
• For example, carbohydrates are broken down to form glucose
• On combustion of glucose with O2 gives carbon dioxide gas and water and liberates heat. This process is known as respiration

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy