Final answer:
An aerobic reaction requires oxygen and is a key process for ATP production during aerobic respiration. This process is more efficient than anaerobic respiration and vital for a variety of biological functions, including exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
An aerobic reaction is one that requires oxygen (O₂).
Aerobic respiration is the process of producing energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and it is the most efficient way our cells generate the bioenergy needed. It involves the breakdown of glucose or other nutrients in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. About 95 percent of the ATP necessary for resting or moderately active muscles is provided by this process, which takes place in the cell organelles called mitochondria. The inputs for aerobic respiration include glucose, pyruvic acid, and fatty acids circulating in the bloodstream. When comparing anaerobic respiration such as fermentation to aerobic respiration, the latter is far more efficient, producing approximately 36 ATP molecules per glucose molecule, as opposed to only four generated through glycolysis during anaerobic processes.
Additionally, aerobic exercises are physical activities that use muscles at levels well below their maximum strength but for an extended period, thus consuming a significant amount of oxygen.
Connection for AP Courses
AP Biology students would understand that during aerobic conditions, cellular respiration can yield 36-38 ATP molecules. This is significantly higher compared to the ATP produced solely by substrate-level phosphorylation during anaerobic conditions, where fermentation or an alternative electron acceptor is used instead of oxygen.