How does anaerobic respiration differ from aerobic respiration?

• A. Anaerobic respiration uses the electron transport chain, while aerobic respiration does not.
• B. Anaerobic respiration produces water as a final product, while aerobic respiration does not.
• C. Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen and produces less ATP than aerobic respiration.
• D. Anaerobic respiration requires oxygen and produces more ATP than aerobic respiration.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the key difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration requires oxygen, while anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen.
2. Step 2: Aerobic respiration involves the complete breakdown of glucose into carbon dioxide and water, using oxygen as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain. This process generates a high amount of ATP.
3. Step 3: Anaerobic respiration, on the other hand, does not use oxygen as the final electron acceptor. Instead, it relies on alternative molecules (such as nitrate or sulfate) or fermentation pathways, which result in less efficient ATP production.
4. Step 4: Compare the ATP yield: Aerobic respiration produces significantly more ATP (approximately 36-38 ATP per glucose molecule) compared to anaerobic respiration, which typically yields only 2 ATP per glucose molecule during glycolysis.
5. Step 5: Note the byproducts: Aerobic respiration produces water and carbon dioxide as final products, while anaerobic respiration often results in byproducts like lactic acid (in animals) or ethanol and carbon dioxide (in yeast).