What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Aerobic respirtation is the process by which glucose and oxygen go to form carbon dioxide and water. The reaction occurs in the mitochondria. The process is needed to release energy. The chemical equation of the it is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O.

Anaerobic repiration is similar however it doesn't require oxygen and only relases a smaller burst of energy. The equation is as follows: Glucose -> lactic acid (C6H12O6 -> 2C3H12O3). It should be said that lactic acid is toxic and therefore needs to be oxidised. The reaction occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell.

AH
Answered by Aiden H. Biology tutor

6118 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

If a person drinks a lot of water, the water content of their blood will increase. Describe how the water content of their blood is regulated.


Describe the process of protein synthesis.


Describe the roles of calcium ions, ATP and phosphocreatine in producing contraction of S (b) a muscle fibre.


Ben has red hair, and his wife has brown hair. The allele for red hair is recessive (r) and the allele for brown hair is dominant (B). Their son also has red hair. What is the genotype of Ben's wife?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning