COMPARISON BETWEEN ENERGY OUTPUT IN AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION
Aerobic respiration results in the formation of simple inorganic molecules, water and carbon (Iv) oxide as the by¬products. These cannot be broken down further. A lot of energy is produced.
When a molecule of glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen, 2880 KJ of energy are produced (38 molecules of ATP). In anaerobic respiration the by products are organic compounds.
These can be broken down further in the presence of oxygen to give more energy. Far less energy is thus produced. The process is not economical as far as energy production is concerned. When a molecule of glucose is broken down in the absence of oxygen in plants, 210 KJ are produced (2 molecule ATP). In animals, anaerobic respiration yields 150 kJ of energy.
See aslo
MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF RESPIRATION