Question

Anaerobic and aerobic respiration break down glucose to make energy. Which statement correctly compares the two processes?

a) Aerobic respiration uses more glucose than anaerobic respiration uses.
b) Anaerobic respiration uses more oxygen than aerobic respiration uses.
c) Aerobic respiration produces less energy than anaerobic respiration produces.
d) Anaerobic respiration produces less energy than aerobic respiration produces.

Answer 1

Answer d) is correct; aerobic respiration produces more energy than anaerobic respiration, as the former yields up to 38 ATP molecules per glucose molecule, while the latter only produces about 2 ATP molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement that compares anaerobic and aerobic respiration is: d) Anaerobic respiration produces less energy than aerobic respiration produces. During aerobic respiration, glucose is fully broken down in the presence of oxygen into carbon dioxide and water, which releases a significant amount of energy sufficient to produce up to 38 ATP molecules. In contrast, anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen, resulting in the formation of lactate molecules and yielding only about 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule. Thus, aerobic respiration is significantly more efficient at producing energy than anaerobic respiration.