Question

Select True or False

1. Fermentation is used by organisms who typically perform anaerobic respiration.
2. Like aerobic respiration, fermentation takes place in the mitochondria of cells.
3. Organisms that utilize fermentation still perform glycolysis in the absence of O₂.
4. Fermentation is used only by single-celled organisms.

Why are methods of anaerobic respiration, such as fermentation, less efficient than aerobic respiration?

Answer 1

Fermentation is used by organisms that perform anaerobic respiration and it occurs in the cytoplasm of cells. Despite the absence of oxygen, organisms that utilize fermentation still perform glycolysis. Fermentation is less efficient than aerobic respiration due to lower ATP production, the production of toxic byproducts, and the lack of utilization of key energy-production processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. True. Fermentation is used by organisms that typically perform anaerobic respiration. This includes many bacteria and some plants and fungi.

2. False. Unlike aerobic respiration, fermentation does not take place in the mitochondria of cells. Instead, it occurs in the cytoplasm.

3. True. Organisms that utilize fermentation still perform glycolysis in the absence of oxygen. However, the pyruvate produced by glycolysis does not go through the citric acid cycle.

4. False. Fermentation is used by both single-celled and multicellular organisms.

Fermentation is less efficient than aerobic respiration for several reasons. First, fermentation produces much less ATP compared to aerobic respiration. Second, the end products of fermentation, such as lactic acid or ethanol, are more toxic and difficult to eliminate. Finally, fermentation does not utilize the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, which are key for maximizing ATP production.