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Flip to reveal answersWhat is the key difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
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All 13 Flashcards — Aerobic vs anaerobic respiration
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Question
What is the key difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
Answer
Aerobic respiration **uses oxygen**; anaerobic respiration takes place **without oxygen**.
Question
Define aerobic respiration.
Answer
Respiration that **uses oxygen** to break glucose down **fully** into carbon dioxide and water, releasing **a lot** of ATP.
Question
Define anaerobic respiration.
Answer
Respiration that happens **without oxygen**; glucose is broken down only **partly**, releasing only **a little** ATP.
Question
Where in the cell does aerobic respiration take place?
Answer
In the **mitochondria**.
Question
Where in the cell does anaerobic respiration take place?
Answer
In the **cytoplasm**.
Question
What are the products of aerobic respiration?
Answer
**Carbon dioxide + water** (in all organisms).
Question
What is the product of anaerobic respiration in animals (and human muscle)?
Answer
**Lactate**.
Question
What are the products of anaerobic respiration in yeast?
Answer
**Ethanol + carbon dioxide** — the basis of bioethanol, brewing and bread.
Question
Which type of respiration releases more ATP per glucose, and why?
Answer
**Aerobic** — because oxygen lets glucose be **fully** broken down, releasing most of its energy.
Question
During intense exercise, what do human muscle cells do when oxygen runs low?
Answer
They switch to **anaerobic respiration**, producing **lactate** in the cytoplasm.
Question
How is bioethanol fuel produced?
Answer
By **yeast** respiring **anaerobically**: glucose → **ethanol + carbon dioxide**.
Question
What does the prefix 'an-' in 'anaerobic' mean?
Answer
'**Without**' — anaerobic respiration happens **without oxygen** (air).
Question
Why does anaerobic respiration release only a little ATP?
Answer
Glucose is only **partly** broken down, so **most of its energy stays locked** inside the product (lactate or ethanol).
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Full study notes for Aerobic vs anaerobic respiration
Topic 3.2 hub
Cell respiration
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