Final answer:
Fermentation is an anaerobic process that produces a small amount of ATP through the partial oxidation of glucose, while aerobic respiration is an aerobic process that produces a larger amount of ATP through the complete oxidation of glucose.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fermentation and aerobic respiration are two different processes by which cells break down glucose to release energy. Fermentation is an anaerobic process that occurs in the absence of oxygen and only involves the first step of cellular respiration, glycolysis. It produces a small amount of ATP, around 2 molecules, per glucose molecule. On the other hand, aerobic respiration is an aerobic process that occurs in the presence of oxygen and involves glycolysis, transformation of pyruvate, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. It produces a much larger amount of ATP, around 30 molecules, per glucose molecule. In terms of glucose oxidation, fermentation partially oxidizes glucose, converting it into either alcohol or lactic acid, while aerobic respiration completely oxidizes glucose into water and carbon dioxide.