Question

Why is cellular respiration important to living organisms?

Answer 1

Cellular respiration is a set of metabolic processes and reactions, which take place in the cells or organism to convert chemical energy from nutrients and oxygen into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and waste. All living organisms respire for the release of energy to fuel their living processes. The respiration can be aerobic or anaerobic. Aerobic respiration includes both oxygen and glucose, whereas anaerobic respiration involves only glucose.

Complete answer
For the performance of several activities of the body, all living organisms require energy. Energy is stored in food and for the release of the energy, cellular respiration is needed.
Cell respiration is a process, in which cells in animals and plants break down sugars and convert them into energy.
Cell respiration is the energy-releasing and supplying process in living organisms. It transforms food into metabolically usable forms of chemical energy. It releases energy in a stepwise and controlled manner. Respiration conserves the energy efficiently and saves it as ATP molecules.
Various intermediate products of the Krebs cycle and glycolysis are utilized for the biosynthesis of complex organic compounds in cell metabolism.
Carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis by green plants is replenished by carbon dioxide released through respiration.
Fermentation is a kind of anaerobic respiration, which is helpful in the production of various useful products like organic acids, vitamins, alcohol, antibiotics, tanned leather, and bakery, and dairy products.

Note:
When oxygen is present, aerobic respiration is the preferred metabolic pathway. Compared to fermentation, respiration yields more energy from sugar. Respiration is often compared with photosynthesis because of its significance. There is no source of hydrogen without photosynthesis and there is no source of carbon since photosynthesis will consume all carbon dioxide.