Difference Between Aerobic And Anaerobic Respiration

To understand the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration, one must first know what it means. Thus, aerobic means the presence of oxygen while anaerobic means the absence of oxygen. Hence, the meanings clear things up a little. Similarly, you apply the meaning and find out that aerobic respiration happens in the presence of oxygen. On the other hand, the anaerobic respiration is when respiration happens in the absence of oxygen. Therefore, respiration means the chemical reaction which involves the breakdown of the nutrient molecule to generate energy. Moreover, it occurs in the mitochondria or the cytoplasm of the cell in an aerobic manner or anaerobic manner.

Definition of Aerobic Respiration

The chain of reactions catalyzed by enzymes is called aerobic respiration. Further, this mechanism includes the transfer of electrons from the molecules that act as the source of fuel like glucose to the oxygen. Further, it functions as the final electron acceptor.

Thus, it is the principal pathway to yield the energy in aerobic respiration. As a result, in the end, this scheme offers ATP and metabolic intermediates, which work as the precursor for several other pathways in the cell, such as carbohydrates, lipid and protein synthesis.

The equation for aerobic respiration is:

C₆H₁₂O₆ (Glucose) + 6O₂ (Oxygen) → 6CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) + 6H₂O (Water)+ energy (as ATP)

Definition of Anaerobic Respiration

The main difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration pertains to the involvement of oxygen when the given resources like glucose are converted into energy. Moreover, this system has been evolved by some bacteria in which it makes use of oxygen-containing salts instead of free oxygen as the electron acceptor.

In addition, anaerobic respiration produces energy which is beneficial at the time of high energy demand in tissues. Thus, the oxygen which aerobic respiration produces is not able to meet the demand. However, it is not much when we compare it to aerobic respiration.

The equation for anaerobic respiration is:

C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose) → 2C₃H₆O₃ (Lactic Acid) + Energy

Difference between Aerobic And Anaerobic Respiration

Important Difference between Aerobic And Anaerobic Respiration

Basis of Comparison	Aerobic Respiration	Anaerobic Respiration
Meaning	It is the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to generate more amount of energy.	It is the breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen in order to generate energy.
Occurrence	Cytoplasm to mitochondria	Only cytoplasm
Energy	A high amount is produced	Less amount is produced
Final Product	37 ATP	2 ATP
Chemical Equation	C6H12O6  + 6O2 → 6CO2  + 6H2O + energy (as ATP)	C6H12O6  → 2C3H6O3 + Energy
Final Product	Carbon dioxide and water	Lactic acid (animal cells), carbon dioxide and ethanol (plants cells)
Requires	Oxygen and glucose to produce energy	Doesn’t require oxygen but uses glucose for producing energy
Speed	Long Process	Fast Process
Example	Occurs in many plants and animals	Occurs in human muscle cells, bacteria, etc.

More details about Aerobic Respiration

The total yield of ATP comes to 40 in aerobic respiration. Thus, to break it down, it is 4 from glycolysis, 2 from the TCA, and finally, 34 from electron transport. As 2 ATP were utilized in early Glycolysis, it results in 38 ATP at a time.

Similarly, 2900 kJ/mol of glucose is the amount of total energy released. Moreover, there are different stages that take place in aerobic respiration. Consequently, the three stages of Aerobic Respiration are Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and Oxidative phosphorylation.

More details about Anaerobic Respiration

Looking at its reaction, you will see that glucose doesn’t completely break down and generate very less energy. Thus, the total amount of the energy which is released is 120 kJ/mol of glucose. Further, it generates lactic acid.

Anaerobic respiration is quite beneficial in producing electricity in microbial fuel cells. Further, it employs bacteria which respire solid electron acceptors, like oxidized iron for transferring electrons from reduced compounds to an electrode.

FAQs about Difference Between Aerobic And Anaerobic Respiration

Question 1: State one difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of energy?

Answer 1: Aerobic respiration produces high energy whereas anaerobic respiration produces less energy.

Question 2: What are the different stages of aerobic respiration?

Answer 2: The three stages of Aerobic Cellular Respiration are Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and Oxidative phosphorylation.