What is it

Table

Anaerobic Respiration:

Main function: To produce ATP in the absence of oxygen.

Site of Reaction: Cytoplasm of the cell.

Production of ATP: Relatively small amount of ATP is produced (2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule).

Sustainability: Unsustainable in the long run due to the limited ATP production and the accumulation of
lactic acid or other byproducts.

Production of lactic acid: Lactic acid is produced as a byproduct in some forms of anaerobic respiration,
such as in humans during intense exercise.

Oxygen requirement: Anaerobic respiration does not require oxygen.

Recycling of NADH: NADH is recycled back to NAD+ through the process of fermentation, which involves
the reduction of pyruvate.

Participating cells: Some bacteria, yeast, and human muscle cells (during intense exercise) can perform
anaerobic respiration.

Aerobic Respiration:

Main function: To produce ATP using oxygen in an efficient manner.

Site of Reaction: Cytoplasm (glycolysis) and mitochondria (Krebs cycle and electron transport chain) of
the cell.

Production of ATP: A large amount of ATP is produced (up to 38 ATP molecules per glucose molecule).

Sustainability: Aerobic respiration is sustainable as long as an adequate supply of oxygen is available.

Production of lactic acid: Lactic acid is not produced in aerobic respiration. Instead, carbon dioxide and
water are the main byproducts.

Oxygen requirement: Oxygen is required for the process of aerobic respiration.

Recycling of NADH: NADH is recycled back to NAD+ through the electron transport chain in the
mitochondria.

Participating cells: Aerobic respiration is the main mode of energy production in most eukaryotic cells,
including those in animals, plants, and fungi.
Venn Diagram

Differences between Anaerobic and Aerobic Respiration:

Anaerobic Respiration:

1. Oxygen Requirement: Anaerobic respiration does not require oxygen. It can occur in the absence of
oxygen.

2. ATP Production: Anaerobic respiration produces a relatively small amount of ATP (2 ATP molecules
per glucose molecule).

3. Site of Reaction: Anaerobic respiration occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell.

4. Byproducts: Anaerobic respiration produces byproducts such as lactic acid or ethanol, depending on
the organism and the type of anaerobic respiration.

5. Sustainability: Anaerobic respiration is not sustainable in the long run due to limited ATP production
and the accumulation of byproducts.

Aerobic Respiration:

1. Oxygen Requirement: Aerobic respiration requires oxygen. It cannot occur in the absence of oxygen.

2. ATP Production: Aerobic respiration produces a large amount of ATP (up to 38 ATP molecules per
glucose molecule) compared to anaerobic respiration.

3. Site of Reaction: Aerobic respiration involves different stages that occur in both the cytoplasm
(glycolysis) and the mitochondria (Krebs cycle and electron transport chain) of the cell.

4. Byproducts: The byproducts of aerobic respiration are carbon dioxide and water, which are the main
end products of the process.

5. Sustainability: Aerobic respiration is sustainable as long as an adequate supply of oxygen is available.

Similarities

1. Both types of respiration break down glucose through glycolysis.

2. Both produce ATP, though aerobic respiration yields more.

3. Both involve converting NADH back to NAD+ for sustained energy production.

4. Both break down pyruvate, a product of glycolysis.

5. Both are part of cellular respiration, with aerobic being more efficient and sustainable, while
anaerobic serves as an oxygen-independent alternative.

Whats More

1. The three kinds of enzyme-controlled reactions that release the chemical-bond energy from a certain
nutrient in the form of ATP are glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), and
oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain).

2. For aerobic respiration, the hydrogen electron acceptor is oxygen (O2). For anaerobic respiration, the
hydrogen electron acceptor can vary depending on the organism and conditions. Common examples
include nitrate (NO3-), sulfate (SO42-), and carbon dioxide (CO2). In fermentation, the hydrogen
electron acceptor is an organic molecule produced during the process.

3. The by-products of aerobic respiration that are considered low-energy molecules are carbon dioxide
(CO2) and water (H2O).

4. The outputs produced by anaerobic respiration vary depending on the specific pathway and organism.
Common examples include carbon dioxide (CO2), ethanol, lactic acid, and other organic acids. In
fermentation, the outputs also vary but can include ethanol, lactic acid, and other organic compounds.

5. The two general metabolic mechanisms by which certain cells can oxidize organic fuel and generate
ATP without the use of oxygen are anaerobic respiration and fermentation.