What is oxidation and how does it relate to animal energy release?

[jacklwk]

according to my biology textbook, it says that animals release energy by oxidation of food, can anybody tell me that what is oxidation?

 

[geoffjb]

according to my biology textbook, it says that animals release energy by oxidation of food, can anybody tell me that what is oxidation?

Oxidation is simply an increase in oxidation number. More practically, it is the loss of one or more electrons in a reaction. When the body converts complex molecules into simple ones (such as the oxidation of glucose), it often oxidizes those molecules.

More on oxidation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox

More on respiration:
http://www.3rd1000.com/chem301/chem302x.htm
http://www.chemsoc.org/networks/learnnet/cfb/respiration.htm