NCERT Question 10 - Chapter 1 Class 10 - Chemical Reactions and Equations

Why is respiration considered an exothermic reaction? Explain

Answer

A chemical reaction in which a large amount of heat / energy is produced along with the products is called exothermic reaction.

During digestion, food is broken down into simpler substances.

Rice, bread, potatoes etc. contain carbohydrates which are broken down into their simple form; glucose.

Glucose combines with the oxygen present in our body and provides energy .

This is known as respiration .

Since it involves release of energy along with the products, it is an exothermic process .

The chemical reaction involved in respiration is

C ₆ H ₁₂ O ₆ (aq) + 6O ₂ (aq) → 6CO ₂ (aq) + 6H ₂ O(l) + energy 

                                  (Glucose)