Final answer:
Respiration releases heat as it is a series of biochemical reactions where oxygen breaks down carbon compounds, resulting in the production of ATP and heat. Not all the energy can be captured as ATP, so excess is expelled as heat, helping to maintain body temperature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Respiration is a process by which living organisms release energy from carbon compounds. This is analogous to combustion, where substances like wood or gasoline react with oxygen to release energy, predominantly in the form of heat. The reason respiration releases heat is that while oxygen is used to break down organic substances into carbon dioxide and water, much of the energy released is harnessed to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the main energy currency of cells. However, not all the energy can be captured in this way, and the remainder is expelled as heat energy.
Differently from inanimate combustion, cellular respiration works in a series of controlled, stepwise reactions that minimize the release of energy as heat, therefore preventing damage to living cells due to excessive heat. Carbohydrates and other biomolecules like lipids are oxidized during cellular respiration, ultimately converting them to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) while releasing energy. Part of this liberated energy is used for maintaining body temperature and driving various biochemical reactions within organisms, making respiration an essential life process.