Which of the following best describes a key difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in eukaryotic cells?

• A. Anaerobic respiration generates water as a final product, while aerobic respiration does not.
• B. Aerobic respiration requires oxygen, while anaerobic respiration does not.
• C. Anaerobic respiration produces more ATP per glucose molecule than aerobic respiration.
• D. Aerobic respiration occurs only in the cytoplasm, while anaerobic respiration occurs in the mitochondria.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the definitions of aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration is a metabolic process that requires oxygen to produce energy (ATP), while anaerobic respiration does not require oxygen and occurs in environments where oxygen is limited or absent.
2. Step 2: Compare the locations where these processes occur in eukaryotic cells. Aerobic respiration primarily takes place in the mitochondria, while anaerobic respiration occurs in the cytoplasm.
3. Step 3: Analyze the energy yield of each process. Aerobic respiration produces significantly more ATP per glucose molecule compared to anaerobic respiration, which is less efficient and generates fewer ATP molecules.
4. Step 4: Examine the byproducts of each process. Aerobic respiration generates water and carbon dioxide as final products, while anaerobic respiration typically produces lactic acid (in animals) or ethanol and carbon dioxide (in yeast and some microorganisms).
5. Step 5: Conclude by identifying the key difference: Aerobic respiration requires oxygen, while anaerobic respiration does not. This distinction is fundamental to understanding how cells adapt to varying oxygen availability.