Question

What is one major difference between anaerobic and aerobic respiration?

1) Anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen, while aerobic respiration requires oxygen.
2) Anaerobic respiration produces more energy than aerobic respiration.
3) Anaerobic respiration occurs in plants, while aerobic respiration occurs in animals.
4) Anaerobic respiration produces carbon dioxide, while aerobic respiration produces water.

Answer 1

The main difference between anaerobic and aerobic respiration is the presence or absence of oxygen; anaerobic respiration does not use oxygen, while aerobic respiration does. Aerobic respiration also produces more energy than anaerobic respiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The major difference between anaerobic and aerobic respiration is that anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen, while aerobic respiration requires oxygen. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is 1) Anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen, while aerobic respiration requires oxygen.

While both types of respiration begin with glycolysis, they diverge in the process that follows. Aerobic respiration continues with the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, wherein oxygen is used and a large amount of energy is released, producing up to 38 ATP molecules per glucose molecule. In contrast, anaerobic respiration, which includes processes like fermentation, leads to the production of only about 2 ATP molecules. Despite this lower energy yield, anaerobic respiration can be useful, as it allows organisms to generate energy quickly when oxygen is not available or during high-intensity, short-duration activities that require rapid energy production.