What Is The Difference between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration (With Table)

So, what is the main difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration? The former is where glucose is broken down in presence of oxygen while the latter is where glucose is broken down in absence of oxygen.

Cellular respiration is the process where metabolic reactions occur in the cell to break down nutrients to release small energy molecules in form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The process is further subdivided into anaerobic and aerobic respiration. Research shows that aerobic respiration occurs in higher plants and animals. anaerobic respiration occurs in microorganisms such as yeasts.

Both aerobic and anaerobic respiration needs glucose as a raw material to generate energy. But many people usually find it challenging to distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic respiration. This article provides further differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in a tabular form. Take the time to read through and learn how to write an equation of anaerobic respiration.

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Difference between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration (With Table)

Basic Terms	Aerobic Respiration	Anaerobic Respiration
Definition	A molecular process that takes place in the presence of oxygen	A molecular process that takes place in the absence of oxygen.
End Products	Water, Carbon Dioxide, and Energy	Lactic Acid and Energy
Function	Provide energy for the brain and heart	Facilitate the fermentation process in the beverage industry
Stage of Occurrence	Has two cycles as glycolysis and Krebs	Stages are glycolysis and fermentation.
Amount of Energy	Tend to be too high	Tend to be too low
Process of Combustion	Complete	Incomplete
Location	Occur from the cytoplasm to mitochondria	Occurs in the cytoplasm only
Requirements	Oxygen and Glucose	Glucose only
Type of Process	Takes a long to release energy	Occur faster to release a small amount of energy
Examples	Occur in Eukaryotes	Occur in muscles of Eukaryotes and all prokaryotes.
Chemical Equation	Glucose + Oxygen gives Carbon dioxide +water + energy	Glucose gives Lactic acid + energy

What Is Aerobic Respiration?

Aerobic respiration is a cellular metabolic process that occurs in the presence of oxygen, enabling cells to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This complex biochemical pathway involves the breakdown of organic molecules, such as glucose, in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.

The process of aerobic respiration consists of three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), and the electron transport chain. Glycolysis, occurring in the cytoplasm, initiates the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate. The citric acid cycle takes place in the mitochondrial matrix, further oxidizing the pyruvate to generate electron carriers and carbon dioxide. The final stage, the electron transport chain, transpires on the inner mitochondrial membrane, where electrons are passed through a series of protein complexes, leading to the synthesis of ATP.

Aerobic respiration is highly efficient, yielding a substantial amount of ATP compared to anaerobic processes. The complete oxidation of glucose in the presence of oxygen allows cells to maximize energy extraction. This process is fundamental for meeting the energy demands of eukaryotic organisms, contributing to their growth, development, and overall metabolic activities. The waste products of aerobic respiration include carbon dioxide and water, making it a crucial aspect of cellular energy production and homeostasis.

Here is the summary of the aerobic respiration equation:

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ ________ 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy

Glucose Oxygen Carbon Dioxide Water

What Is Anaerobic Respiration?

Anaerobic respiration is a cellular metabolic process that takes place in the absence of oxygen, providing cells with a means to generate energy, albeit less efficiently than aerobic respiration. This form of respiration occurs when oxygen is scarce or unavailable, and it involves the partial breakdown of organic molecules to produce energy, usually in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

The most common type of anaerobic respiration is fermentation. In the absence of oxygen, cells undergo glycolysis, a process that breaks down glucose into pyruvate in the cytoplasm. Unlike aerobic respiration, where pyruvate undergoes further oxidation in the mitochondria, in anaerobic conditions, pyruvate is converted into different end products, such as lactic acid in animal cells or ethanol and carbon dioxide in yeast and some bacteria.

While anaerobic respiration is less efficient than aerobic respiration in terms of ATP production, it serves as a vital backup mechanism for cells when oxygen is limited. It allows cells to continue generating some energy and maintaining essential metabolic processes in anaerobic environments. However, the byproducts of anaerobic respiration, such as lactic acid or ethanol, can accumulate and lead to metabolic inefficiencies or cellular stress if not properly managed or eliminated.

Here is the summary of the anaerobic respiration equation:

C6H12O6 ______ 2C₃H₆O₃ +Energy

Glucose Lactic Acid

Main Difference between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respirations

Aerobic respiration is the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen while anaerobic respiration is the breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen.
Aerobic respiration occurs in the cytoplasm to mitochondria while anaerobic respiration occurs in the cytoplasm only.
Aerobic respiration produces a high amount of energy of about 38 ATP whereas anaerobic respiration produces a low amount of energy of about 2 ATP.
The end products of aerobic respiration are energy, carbon dioxide, and water while those of anaerobic respiration are lactic acid and energy.
The requirements of aerobic respiration are glucose and oxygen whereas those of anaerobic respiration are glucose alone.
Aerobic respiration undergoes stages such as Glycolysis, respiratory chain, and Krebs cycle while anaerobic respiration undergoes Glycolysis and fermentation.
Aerobic respiration has a complete combustion process whereas anaerobic has an incomplete combustion process.
Aerobic respiration is a long process that releases a large amount of energy while anaerobic respiration occurs faster but releases a small amount of energy.
Higher plants and mammals are examples of living organisms that experience aerobic respiration while human muscles, bacteria, and yeast are examples of organisms that experience anaerobic respiration.

Similarities of Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration

Both occur in a multicellular and unicellular organism
Both undergo the glycolysis stage.
Both processes release energy
Conversion of glucose into pyruvate acid occurs in both processes.
Both start with sugar splitting

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Summary

The difference between aerobic and anaerobic respirations lies in the presence or absence of oxygen during the cellular metabolic processes that produce energy. Aerobic respiration occurs in the presence of oxygen and involves the complete breakdown of organic molecules, such as glucose, in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. This process consists of three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain, resulting in the production of a substantial amount of ATP.

In contrast, anaerobic respiration takes place in the absence of oxygen, providing cells with an alternative means of generating energy. The most common form of anaerobic respiration is fermentation, where glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm, and the final products vary depending on the organism—lactic acid in animal cells or ethanol and carbon dioxide in yeast and some bacteria. Anaerobic respiration is less efficient in terms of ATP production compared to aerobic respiration.

Aerobic respiration is highly efficient and the primary method for energy production in eukaryotic organisms when oxygen is available. Anaerobic respiration, on the other hand, serves as a backup mechanism when oxygen is limited, allowing cells to continue generating some energy. Despite its lower efficiency, anaerobic respiration is crucial in environments where oxygen is scarce and plays a role in various biological processes, including the production of certain foods and beverages. Understanding these differences is fundamental in comprehending cellular metabolism across diverse environmental conditions.

More Sources and References.

Anaerobic and Aerobic Respiration. Healthline
Anaerobic Respiration. Wikipedia