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Difference Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration: Equations and Examples

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Alice Stanley-smith

@alicestanleysmith_ecwt

Anaerobic respiration is a crucial biological process that occurs when... Show more

# AEROBIC respiration

devobis = WITH
OXYGEN

SUGAR OXYGEN-
GLUCOSE
→CARBON WATER + ENE
DIOXIDE
RGY

C6H12O6 +602> 6CO₂+6H₂0+ (!ATP ENERGY!)

Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration

This page compares aerobic and anaerobic respiration, highlighting their key differences and applications in various organisms.

Aerobic respiration is the primary method of energy production in most organisms. It requires oxygen and completely breaks down glucose to produce carbon dioxide, water, and a large amount of energy in the form of ATP.

Equation for aerobic respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP (energy)

Aerobic respiration involves multiple chemical reactions, each controlled by a specific enzyme. These reactions primarily occur inside the mitochondria of cells.

Highlight: Aerobic respiration is the most efficient form of cellular respiration, producing the most energy per glucose molecule.

Anaerobic respiration becomes necessary when oxygen supply is insufficient. This process is particularly important during intense exercise when muscles cannot receive enough oxygen to meet their energy demands.

Definition: Anaerobic respiration is the incomplete breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen, resulting in less energy production compared to aerobic respiration.

The products of anaerobic respiration vary depending on the organism:

  1. In animals, including humans, anaerobic respiration produces lactic acid.

Word equation for anaerobic respiration in humans: Glucose → Lactic Acid + Energy

  1. In plants and yeast, anaerobic respiration results in ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Anaerobic respiration in yeast equation: Glucose → Ethanol + Carbon Dioxide + Energy

Vocabulary: Fermentation is the term used to describe anaerobic respiration in yeast cells.

Understanding the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration is crucial for comprehending various biological processes and their applications in industries such as brewing and biofuel production.



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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

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Anna

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Thomas R

iOS user

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Xander S

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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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Paul T

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Biology

3,289

19 Dec 2025

1 page

Difference Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration: Equations and Examples

user profile picture

Alice Stanley-smith

@alicestanleysmith_ecwt

Anaerobic respiration is a crucial biological process that occurs when oxygen is limited. It involves the incomplete breakdown of glucose, resulting in different products depending on the organism. This process is essential for survival in oxygen-poor environments and plays a... Show more

# AEROBIC respiration

devobis = WITH
OXYGEN

SUGAR OXYGEN-
GLUCOSE
→CARBON WATER + ENE
DIOXIDE
RGY

C6H12O6 +602> 6CO₂+6H₂0+ (!ATP ENERGY!)

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Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration

This page compares aerobic and anaerobic respiration, highlighting their key differences and applications in various organisms.

Aerobic respiration is the primary method of energy production in most organisms. It requires oxygen and completely breaks down glucose to produce carbon dioxide, water, and a large amount of energy in the form of ATP.

Equation for aerobic respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP (energy)

Aerobic respiration involves multiple chemical reactions, each controlled by a specific enzyme. These reactions primarily occur inside the mitochondria of cells.

Highlight: Aerobic respiration is the most efficient form of cellular respiration, producing the most energy per glucose molecule.

Anaerobic respiration becomes necessary when oxygen supply is insufficient. This process is particularly important during intense exercise when muscles cannot receive enough oxygen to meet their energy demands.

Definition: Anaerobic respiration is the incomplete breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen, resulting in less energy production compared to aerobic respiration.

The products of anaerobic respiration vary depending on the organism:

  1. In animals, including humans, anaerobic respiration produces lactic acid.

Word equation for anaerobic respiration in humans: Glucose → Lactic Acid + Energy

  1. In plants and yeast, anaerobic respiration results in ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Anaerobic respiration in yeast equation: Glucose → Ethanol + Carbon Dioxide + Energy

Vocabulary: Fermentation is the term used to describe anaerobic respiration in yeast cells.

Understanding the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration is crucial for comprehending various biological processes and their applications in industries such as brewing and biofuel production.

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Most popular content: Respiration

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4.9/5

App Store

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user