What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration needs oxygen. It is the release of a relatively large amount of energy in cells by the breakdown of food substances in the presence of oxygen:

glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

Aerobic respiration happens all the time in animals and plants. Most of the reactions in aerobic respiration happen inside mitochondria in cells.

Anaerobic respiration happens in muscles during hard exercise:

glucose → lactic acid

C6H12O6 → 2C3H6O3

Glucose is not completely broken down, so much less energy is released than during aerobic respiration.

There is a build-up of lactic acid in the muscles during vigorous exercise. The lactic acid needs to be oxidised to carbon dioxide and water later.

Answered by Dan H. Biology tutor

3123 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between a recessive and dominant allele?


True or false - when you focus on a NEAR object, the lens becomes THINNER allowing light to reflect GREATLY.


Describe some of the means by which a plant might defend itself, bearing in mind that it is 'sessile' (it cannot move around)?


What is an enzyme and explain its mechanism of action


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences