What is respiration ? Explain about respiratory substrates .

Explanation

In Eukaryotes the breakdown of complex molecules to yield energy takes place in the cytoplasm and in the mitochondria.
The breaking of C C- bonds of complex compounds through oxidation within the cells, leading to release of considerable amount of energy is called respiration.
Respiratory substrates : The compounds that are oxidised during this process are known as resplratory substrates .
Proteins, fats and even organic acids can be used as respiratory substances in some plants under certain conditions.
During oxidation within a cell, all the energy contained in respiratory substrates is not released free into the cell or in a single step .
It is trapped as chemical energy in the form of ATP. This ATP is broken down whenever energy needs to be utillized. Hence , ATP acts as the energy currency of the cell. This energy trapped in ATP is utilised in various energy requiring processes of the organisms .
The carbon skeleton produced during respiration is used as precursors for biosynthesis of other molecules in the cell.