What is the difference between anaerobic and aerobic processes

The most commonly known anaerobic processes are known as fermentation. Most anaerobic processes start out the same way as aerobic respiration, but they stop partway through the pathway because the oxygen is not available for it to finish the aerobic respiration process, or they join with another molecule that is not oxygen as the final electron acceptor. Fermentation makes many fewer ATP and also releases byproducts of either lactic acid or alcohol, in most cases.

Anaerobic processes can happen in the mitochondria or in the cytoplasm of the cell. Lactic acid fermentation is the type of anaerobic process humans undergo if there is a shortage of oxygen. For example, long distance runners experience a buildup of lactic acid in their muscles because they are not taking in enough oxygen to keep up with the demand of energy needed for the exercise. The lactic acid can even cause cramping and soreness in the muscles as time goes on.

Alcoholic fermentation does not happen in humans. Yeast is a good example of an organism that undergoes alcoholic fermentation. The same process that goes on in the mitochondria during lactic acid fermentation also happens in alcoholic fermentation.

The only difference is that the byproduct of alcoholic fermentation is ethyl alcohol. Alcoholic fermentation is important for the beer industry. Beer makers add yeast which will undergo alcoholic fermentation to add alcohol to the brew.

Wine fermentation is also similar and provides the alcohol for the wine. Aerobic respiration is much more efficient at making ATP than anaerobic processes like fermentation. Without oxygen, the Krebs Cycle and the Electron Transport Chain in cellular respiration get backed up and will not work any longer. This forces the cell to undergo the much less efficient fermentation.

While aerobic respiration can produce up to 36 ATP, the different types of fermentation can only have a net gain of 2 ATP. It is thought that the most ancient type of respiration is anaerobic.

Answered by Madeline W. Answered by. Answered by Clarisse B. Payment Security. That is; aerobic process produces six water molecules per glucose molecule while anaerobic process does not produce water molecules as it does not use molecular oxygen in the electron transport chain. Aerobic process is a type of cellular process that requires the presence of molecular oxygen inside the cell. Aerobic respiration is the main type of aerobic process, which breaks down the bonds in a glucose molecule to produce ATP by using the released energy.

During aerobic respiration, 32 ATP molecules are produced per glucose molecule. In comparison, the anaerobic process is a type of cellular process which occurs in the absence of molecular oxygen. It produces fewer ATP molecules through the incomplete oxidization of glucose. Therefore, the main difference between aerobic and anaerobic process is the use of molecule oxygen for the process and efficiency.

Scoville, Heather. Jun 19, CC BY 3. Figure 1: Aerobic Process. View all posts. They follow glycolysis with the Krebs cycle and electron transport to make more ATP than by glycolysis alone. Cellular respiration that proceeds in the presence of oxygen is called aerobic respiration. The Presence of Oxygen There are two types of cellular respiration see Cellular Respiration concept : aerobic and anaerobic. Summary Cellular respiration always begins with glycolysis, which can occur either in the absence or presence of oxygen.

Cellular respiration that proceeds in the absence of oxygen is anaerobic respiration. Cellular respiration that proceeds in the presence of oxygen is aerobic respiration. Anaerobic respiration evolved prior to aerobic respiration.