Exemplar Problems

Question:

Explain the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

Answer:

• Aerobic Respiration:

  • Requires oxygen as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain.

  • Occurs in the presence of oxygen.

  • Yields a large amount of ATP (up to 38 ATP per glucose molecule).

  • Involves glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain.

• Anaerobic Respiration:

  • Does not require oxygen as the final electron acceptor.

  • Occurs in the absence of oxygen or in low-oxygen conditions.

  • Yields fewer ATP molecules compared to aerobic respiration.

  • Involves glycolysis and different pathways like lactic acid or alcoholic fermentation.