Define aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
• Aerobic requires oxygen, Anaerobic does not
O Aerobic happens only in eukaryotes, Anaerobic happens only in prokaryotes
• Aerobic happens in animals, Anaerobic happens in plants
• Aerobic only occurred in extinct organisms, Anaerobic is what happens now
Aerobic respiration is a metabolic process in which cells convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and waste products are released. This type of respiration requires oxygen to act as an electron acceptor when breaking down the molecules like glucose. It is the primary means of ATP production in animals and is also utilized by many other eukaryotes, including plants and fungi, along with many aerobic bacteria.
Anaerobic respiration, on the other hand, is a process of producing cellular energy without the presence of oxygen. This form of respiration is used by some prokaryotes in environments where oxygen is scarce. Additionally, it occurs in the muscle cells of eukaryotes, such as humans, during intense exercise when oxygen supply to muscles is insufficient. In anaerobic respiration, other molecules, such as sulfate or nitrate, can serve as the final electron acceptor.
Therefore, the correct statement is:
• Aerobic requires oxygen, Anaerobic does not
The other statements are incorrect:
- Aerobic respiration happens in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, while anaerobic respiration also occurs in both, but under different conditions or in different environments.
- Both aerobic and anaerobic respiration happen in animals and plants, depending on the availability of oxygen and the tissue or cell type.
- Aerobic respiration is not exclusive to extinct organisms; it is a critical and ongoing process in most current life forms. Anaerobic respiration also actively occurs in various organisms today.