Respiration Types and Mechanisms in Biology

by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023

Types of Respiration in Biology

Respiration is the fundamental process that helps organisms survive both on land and in the water. Without respiration, energy wouldn’t be stored in the cells, and the body wouldn’t be able to generate enough ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate; अडेनोसाइन ट्राइफोसैप्ट) for vital metabolic processes. There are various ways in which respiration is achieved in different organisms, and here we’ll learn about the types of respiration and the mechanisms that drive them.

Aerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration (वायुमंडल नित्य अपात्रिक) is one of the most commonly studied types of respiration. This form of respiration occurs in organisms that need oxygen for energy, and it’s the way in which energy is stored in cells. During aerobic respiration, glucose and oxygen are reacted together to generate energy, water, and carbon dioxide as by-products. This reaction occurs in several steps, which are summarized in the table below.

Aerobic respiration is the most energy efficient type of respiration, as it can generate as much as 36 ATP molecules from a single glucose molecule.

Anaerobic Respiration

In some cases, oxygen availability can be limited due to other factors, such as temperature, pH, and pressure. In these circumstances, anaerobic respiration (अनायरोबिक नित्य अपात्रिक) is needed to generate ATP. This type of respiration is much less energy efficient, as it can only generate 2 ATP molecules from a single glucose molecule.

Anaerobic respiration can be divided into three categories: alcohol fermentation, lactic acid fermentation, and acetic acid fermentation. Alcohol fermentation is the most common type of anaerobic respiration, and it is responsible for the production of beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. Lactic acid fermentation is mainly seen in muscle cells, and it occurs when the body doesn’t have enough oxygen for aerobic respiration. Acetic acid fermentation is mainly seen in plants such as apples, and it is responsible for the production of vinegar.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a type of respiration that is mostly seen in plants and some types of bacteria. This type of respiration is an important source of energy for these organisms, and it helps them to generate large amounts of energy from the sun’s rays. Photosynthesis consists of two steps: light reactions (प्रकाश प्रतिक्रियाएँ) and dark reactions (अंधेरे प्रतिक्रियाएँ).

During the light reactions, light energy from the sun is captured by chlorophyll and used to split H2O molecules into O2 and H+ ions. The H+ ions then interact with NADP+ molecules, and the energy from the reaction is used to produce ATP and NADPH. This energy is then used to drive the dark reactions, which involve the fixation of CO2 into sugars that the plant can use for energy.

Conclusions

Respiration is an essential process that allows for the storage of energy in cells, and it is the driving force behind most biological processes. There are various types of respiration, such as aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration, and photosynthesis, and each one plays an important role in the survival of organisms. Understanding these types of respiration is essential for a comprehensive understanding of biology.