Question

List the similarities and differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

Answer 1

Aerobic respiration:

1. Aerobic respiration takes place in the presence of molecular oxygen.
2. Glucose gets oxidized in the presence of oxygen for energy production.
3. CO₂ and H₂O are made as byproducts.

Anaerobic respiration:

1. Anaerobic respiration takes place in the absence of oxygen.
2. This is incomplete oxidation of glucose.

Similarities:

1. In both processes glucose is used as substance for oxidation.
2. Both takes place inside the cell.
3. In both cases energy is produced.

Differences:

Aerobic respiration	Anaerobic respiration
1. This type of respiration occurs in the presence of oxygen	1.This occurs in the absence of oxygen.
2. Found in all higher organisms like plants and animals and even in some bacteria.	2. Found in some bacteria.
3. A part of this process glycolysis takes place in cytoplasm and other one in the mitochondria.	3. Occurs in the cytoplasm.
4. This process completes in multiple steps like: Glycolysis Kreb cycle ETS ATP production	4.This completes in simple steps : glycolysis and break down of pyruvate.
5. By one glucose molecule, 36 ATP molecules are produced.	5. By one molecule of glucose 2 ATP molecules are produced.
6. Glucose breaks down into CO2 and H2O.	6. Glucose breaks down into lactic acid or ethanol.