Cellular respiration is broken down into two different types, aerobic and anaerobic. While both produce energy for the body, they do it in very different ways. The similarities and differences can be seen below.
What Is Aerobic Respiration?
Definition
Aerobic respiration is process that produces cellular energy using oxygen and has four seperate stages. Which are explained below-
1. Glycolysis
This is the first stage of aerobic respiration which occurs in the cytoplasm. Glycolysis is when a six-carbon glucose molecule is separated and converted into two, 3-carbon molecules of pyruvate.
2. Formation of Acetyl Coenzyme A
This stage involves the transportation of the pyruvate, that where created during glycolysis, into the mitochondrion. The mitochondrion is an organelle where biochemical processes occur. After the pyruvate molecules reach the mitochondrion they are oxidized into 1 carbon dioxide and a 2-carbon acetyl group. The carbon dioxide is discarded as waste, while the acetyl group binds itself to a coenzyme.
3. The Citric Acid Cycle
During the citric acid cycle each of the carbon acetyl groups are bound to an existing molecule of oxaloacetate and form citric acid. The citric acid molecules are slowly oxidized and bound to NAD for form NADH.
5. Electron Transport Chain
All of the electrons that are left over from glycolysis and the citric acid cycle follows a series of cytochromes and are pumped across the inner membrane of the mitochondrion. They go through ATP to synthase enzyme molecules, and release energy in the form of 34 ATP molecules.
What About Anaerobic Respiration?
Definition
Anaerobic respiration is very similar to aerobic respiration in the terms of the stages that the molecules go through. However, anaerobic respiration leaves much more energy in the form of lactate molecules, which the body cannot use and must be released as waste.
1. Same Phases as Aerobic
Anaerobic respiration uses the same stages to form energy that aerobic does, but in a different part of the cell. The phases are carried out in the fluid of the cytoplasm.
2. Uses Electron Acceptors
This form of respiration uses electron acceptors to carry out the electron transport chain and create respiration. However, oxygen is still necessary in the final electron in order to allow the molecules to pass through the system.
3. Used By Prokaryotes
This form of respiration is used by prokaryotes that exist is places with no oxygen, such as underwater. Some organisms that use anaerobic respiration include : geobacter, E. Coli, and trichlorobacter.
Differences Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration
1. Where It Takes Place
One major difference between the two forms of respiration is the location that the process occurs. In aerobic respiration energy is produced in the mitochondrion while in anaerobic respiration occurs in the fluid portion of the cytoplasm.
2. Presence of Oxygen
Another key difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration is the presence of oxygen. In aerobic respiration oxygen is used to convert the cells to energy, while in aerobic respiration it uses the fluid in the cytoplasm.