Question

Compare the following statements (I and II). I. The amount of energy (cal/mole) in an ATP molecule produced by a cell from glucose by fermentation. II. The amount of energy (cal/mole) in an ATP molecule produced by a cell from glucose by aerobic metabolism.

Answer 1

(I) 200,000 cal/mole (2ATP) (II) 380,000 cal/mole (38ATP)

Step-by-step explanation:

Fermentation (anaerobic respiration) involves the breakdown of glucose in microorganisms such as yeast in the absence of oxygen to yield just 2ATP of energy while aerobic respiration involves the breakdown of glucose in high-energy demanding cells (such as liver cells and brain cells) in the presence of oxygen to yield 38ATP of energy.

The rate of metabolic activities in microorganisms is very low as compared to that in complex organisms such as mammals,hence the generation of a low amount of energy.