Biology Breakdown: Respiration and Its Types

by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023

Biology Breakdown: Respiration & Its Types

Respiration is the process by which energy is released from food materials utilizing oxygen. It is one of the most fundamental biological processes in animals, plants and microorganisms. respiration is the part of a biological system which utilizes oxygen to creates energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for the cells.

In this article, we will understand the different types of respiration and their significance in the biological systems.

What is Respiration?

Respiration is the process by which living organisms produce energy from the oxidation of organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. During respiration, the breakdown of these compounds releases energy which is used by the cell to fuel its activities.

Respiration is an cell metabolic process used by organisms to convert energy supplied in the form of food into usable energy in the form of chemical bonds. It takes place in all living cells, and is a very important biological process responsible for the production of energy. The energy released by respiration is used for various cellular processes such as movement, muscle contraction, maintenance of temperature, and the manufacture of hormones, enzymes, and other molecules essential for life.

Types of Respiration

The breakdown of food takes place in two ways in organisms – respiration and fermentation. Respiration is the process by which energy is released from food by utilizing oxygen. Fermentation is the process by which food is oxidized in the absence of oxygen. Both respiration and fermentation are important processes for energy production in organisms. The type of respiration process used by a particular organism depends on the nature of the organism and the availability of oxygen.

Based on the availability of oxygen, respiration can be divided into two types – aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.

Aerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration (वायुमुल्य शोधन) is the form of respiration which takes place in the presence of oxygen. It is the most common form of respiration in organisms, animals, and plants, and is essential for the existence of living organisms.

Aerobic respiration comprises of many stages such as glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chain. During glycolysis, the sugar molecule is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate and energy is released in the form of ATP. This ATP is then used in the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain which oxidises the pyruvate molecules and releases more energy. This energy is stored in the form of ATP and can be used by the cells for various tasks.

Anaerobic Respiration

Anaerobic respiration (अवायुमुल्य शोधन) is the process by which energy is released from food without the usage of oxygen. It is a form of respiration which occurs in the absence of oxygen and is less efficient than aerobic respiration. In anaerobic respiration, the glucose molecule is broken down into two molecules of ethanol or lactic acid and energy is released in the form of ATP.

Aerobic respiration is typically seen in organisms such as bacteria, fungi and some invertebrates which cannot acquire oxygen from their environment. Anaerobic respiration is also used by animals during strenuous activities such as sprinting and weight lifting, when oxygen demand exceeds the supply.

Types of Anaerobic Respiration

Anaerobic respiration is further divided into two types – lactic acid fermentation and alcohol fermentation.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

Lactic acid fermentation (ग्लूकोज अम्लात्मक पिस्ताना) is the process by which glucose molecules are broken down into lactic acid with the help of enzymes. This produces energy in the form of ATP which is used by the cell for various metabolic activities.

The lactic acid fermentation process is anaerobic respiration process which is seen in organisms such as yeast, bacteria, and some eukaryotes. It is a slow process and is most commonly seen in animals during intense physical activities such as sprinting and weight lifting, when the oxygen demand exceeds the supply.

Alcohol Fermentation

Alcohol fermentation (शराब पिस्ताना) is the process by which glucose molecules are broken down into ethyl alcohol with the help of enzymes. This process also produces energy in the form of ATP which is used by the cell for various metabolic activities.

Alcohol fermentation is anaerobic respiration process which is seen in organisms such as yeast, bacteria, and some eukaryotes. It is most commonly seen in organisms which cannot acquire oxygen from their environment and produce energy from the fermentation of organic compounds such as glucose.

Conclusion

Respiration is the most fundamental biological process in animals, plants, and microorganisms. It is the process by which energy is released from food materials by utilizing oxygen and is essential for the survival of living organisms. Respiration can be divided into two types, aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration is the process which takes place in the presence of oxygen and is the most common form of respiration in living organisms. While, anaerobic respiration is the process which takes place in the absence of oxygen. Further, anaerobic respiration can be divided into two types – lactic acid fermentation and alcohol fermentation.

Thus, the type of respiration utilized by an organism depend on the nature of the organism and the availability of oxygen.
The study of respiration is very important and has helped us to understand the various biological processes in living organisms. This understanding can be used to develop better treatments and measures to improve the health and welfare of living organisms.