Distinguish between the two types of respiration
There are two types of respiration: aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.
1. Aerobic Respiration:
- Oxygen is required for aerobic respiration to occur.
- It is a more efficient process and leads to the production of a significantly higher amount of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
- It occurs in the presence of mitochondria within eukaryotic cells.
- The end products of aerobic respiration are carbon dioxide and water.
- It involves three main stages: glycolysis, citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation in the electron transport chain.
- Aerobic respiration is the most common type of respiration in organisms.
2. Anaerobic Respiration:
- Oxygen is not required for anaerobic respiration to occur.
- It is a less efficient process and produces a lower amount of energy in the form of ATP compared to aerobic respiration.
- It occurs in the absence of mitochondria or in the cytoplasm of cells.
- The end products of anaerobic respiration vary depending on the organism and conditions. In some organisms, such as yeast, alcohol (ethanol) and carbon dioxide are produced, while in others, such as bacteria, lactic acid is produced.
- It involves a limited number of stages, such as glycolysis and fermentation.
- Anaerobic respiration is seen in some bacteria and archaea, as well as in certain tissues of multicellular organisms when there is insufficient oxygen supply, such as during intense exercise.