Final answer:
Breathing is a physical process of air inhalation and exhalation, maintaining oxygen and carbon dioxide levels for use in cellular respiration, a biochemical process in cells that converts glucose and oxygen into ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Breathing and Cellular Respiration
The primary difference between breathing and cellular respiration is that breathing is a biophysical process involving the physical inhalation and exhalation of air through the lungs, whereas cellular respiration is a biochemical process that cells use to convert glucose into energy in the presence of oxygen. Breathing facilitates the intake of oxygen and elimination of carbon dioxide, which are the gases necessary for cellular respiration. Specifically, ventilation or breathing consists of two main actions: inhaling oxygen-rich air and exhaling carbon dioxide-rich air. This physical act of air exchange maintains the oxygen and carbon dioxide balance in the blood.
In contrast, cellular respiration is an intracellular process involving the breakdown of glucose with oxygen to produce energy in the form of ATP, carbon dioxide, and water. This energy is essential for powering cellular functions. The process comprises three stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. The organs involved in supplying the necessary ingredients for cellular respiration include the digestive system, which provides glucose; the cardiovascular system, which transports glucose and oxygen to cells; and finally, the respiratory system, which facilitates gas exchange in the lungs.