Which of the following statements about aerobic respiration is true?

• A. It produces less ATP than anaerobic respiration.
• B. It requires oxygen as the final electron acceptor.
• C. It occurs only in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
• D. It results in lactic acid as the main end product.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of aerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration is a metabolic process in which cells use oxygen to convert glucose into energy (ATP). It is the most efficient way for cells to produce ATP.
2. Step 2: Analyze the first statement: 'It produces less ATP than anaerobic respiration.' This is incorrect because aerobic respiration produces significantly more ATP (approximately 36-38 ATP per glucose molecule) compared to anaerobic respiration (which produces only 2 ATP per glucose molecule).
3. Step 3: Evaluate the second statement: 'It requires oxygen as the final electron acceptor.' This is correct because oxygen plays a critical role in the electron transport chain, where it acts as the final electron acceptor to form water, enabling the production of ATP.
4. Step 4: Examine the third statement: 'It occurs only in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.' This is incorrect because aerobic respiration occurs in both the cytoplasm (glycolysis) and the mitochondria (Krebs cycle and electron transport chain) of eukaryotic cells.
5. Step 5: Assess the fourth statement: 'It results in lactic acid as the main end product.' This is incorrect because lactic acid is produced during anaerobic respiration, not aerobic respiration. The main end products of aerobic respiration are carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.