Final answer:
The main difference between fermentation and cellular respiration is that fermentation does not require oxygen and uses organic molecules as the final electron acceptor, whereas aerobic cellular respiration requires oxygen and uses inorganic molecules as the final electron acceptor, resulting in a higher ATP yield.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fundamental difference between fermentation and cellular respiration is that fermentation does not require oxygen and uses an organic molecule as the final electron acceptor after glycolysis, while cellular respiration, specifically aerobic cellular respiration, requires oxygen and uses an inorganic molecule as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain (ETC).
In fermentation, the process relies on glycolysis to generate ATP, with the end products being either lactic acid or ethanol and carbon dioxide, depending on the type of fermentation. Conversely, aerobic cellular respiration includes not only glycolysis but also the Krebs Cycle (TCA cycle) and the ETC, ultimately producing a higher yield of ATP per glucose molecule.