How are combustion and metabolism similar?
1 Answer
Both are basically oxidation reaction.
Explanation:
Combustion is rapid oxidation usually of Carbon compounds.
Metabolism is fueled by cellular respiration which is a controlled oxidation of Carbon compounds.
One similarity is that both reactions are oxidation reactions.
Both result in the production of Carbon dioxide and Water as by products. The end result of both is the production of energy.
One difference is the form of energy released. Combustion releases energy in the form of thermal heat, and flames. This type of energy release would be fatal to living things. Metabolism releases energy in the form of ATP, a molecule that can be used to store energy, and release the energy at low temperatures. Combustion is uncontrolled while Metabolism is a highly control reaction.
