Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
Aerobic respiration
Respiration using oxygen to break down food molecules is called aerobic respirationRespiration that requires oxygen.. Glucose is the molecule normally used for respiration – it is the main respiratory substrateA substance broken down by respiration to release energy.. Glucose is oxidiseChemical substances are oxidised by the addition of oxygen, removal of hydrogen or the removal of electrons. to release its energy.
The word equation for aerobic respiration is:
glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy released
You need to be able to recognise the chemical symbols:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy released
Respiration is a series of reactions, but this summarises the overall process.
The first stages of respiration occur in the cytoplasm of cells, but most of the energy released is in the mitochondriaStructures in the cytoplasm of all cells where aerobic respiration takes place (singular is mitochondrion)..
Anaerobic respiration
Most organisms cannot respire without oxygen but some organisms and tissues can continue to respire if the oxygen runs out. These organisms and tissues use the process of anaerobicWithout oxygen..
Human muscle can respire anaerobically for short periods of time – even though the process is relatively inefficient, it's better to continue respiring and be able to run away from danger – or run a race.
The glucose in muscle is converted to lactic acidA toxic chemical produced during anaerobic respiration.:
glucose → lactic acid + energy released
Some plants, and some fungusA large group of eukaryotic organisms that contain single celled yeasts, moulds and mushrooms. such as yeast can respire anaerobically – it's preferable to release less energy but remain alive.
Glucose in yeast cells is converted to carbon dioxide and ethanolThe alcohol which is produced as a result of fermentation of sugars by yeast., which we refer to simply as 'alcohol':
glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide + energy released
Anaerobic respiration occurs only in the cytoplasm of cells.
Aerobic and anaerobic respiration compared:
| Aerobic | Anaerobic | |
| Presence of oxygen | Present. | Absent or in short supply. |
| Oxidation of glucose | Complete | Incomplete. The products of respiration still contain energy. |
| Products of respiration | Carbon dioxide and water. The products do not contain stored chemical energy. | Mammalian muscle: lactic acid. Yeast: ethanol and carbon dioxide. Some plants: ethanol and carbon dioxide. The products still contain stored chemical energy. |
| Amount of energy released | Relatively large amount. | Small amount, but quickly. |
| Presence of oxygen | |
|---|---|
| Aerobic | Present. |
| Anaerobic | Absent or in short supply. |
| Oxidation of glucose | |
|---|---|
| Aerobic | Complete |
| Anaerobic | Incomplete. The products of respiration still contain energy. |
| Products of respiration | |
|---|---|
| Aerobic | Carbon dioxide and water. The products do not contain stored chemical energy. |
| Anaerobic | Mammalian muscle: lactic acid. Yeast: ethanol and carbon dioxide. Some plants: ethanol and carbon dioxide. The products still contain stored chemical energy. |
| Amount of energy released | |
|---|---|
| Aerobic | Relatively large amount. |
| Anaerobic | Small amount, but quickly. |