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October 2, 2024Aerobic Respiration: How does the cell get ATP? Does the cell also undergo respiration? Can a cell respire in the presence or absence of oxygen? The answer to all such questions is cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is the process where a cell breaks down glucose to produce energy in the form of ATP.
Cellular respiration can take place in the presence or absence of molecular oxygen. Aerobic respiration is a type of cellular respiration that takes place in the presence of oxygen, while anaerobic respiration is a type of cellular respiration that takes place in the absence of oxygen. In this article, we will learn about the definition of aerobic respiration, its steps, significance, and much more.
The process of breakdown of primary metabolites (like glucose, protein, fatty acids, etc.) in the cell with the release of energy in the form of ATP is called cellular respiration. Cellular respiration takes place in the living cells of organisms.
Cellular respiration is of two types, i.e. aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.
Respiration and breathing are two different types of processes that occur simultaneously inside the body, where the former (respiration) is concerned with the production of energy, involves the breakdown of nutrients and converts it into energy, while the latter (breathing) is relatively associated with the process of inhalation and exhalation of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Energy is an essential factor, which is related to the work done by the body. Within the body of all types of living beings like microorganisms, plants, animals, the energy requirement is met by two types of chemical reactions that take place within the cell. These chemical reactions are of two types, one is called aerobic respiration and the other is called anaerobic respiration, which we discussed above.
Aerobic respiration is a process in which the cells utilize oxygen for the degradation of primary metabolites and release energy. It takes place in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of the cell and produces ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate).
In aerobic respiration, oxygen is used in the complete breakdown of glucose with the formation of carbon dioxide and water as end-products. The equation of aerobic respiration is given below:
\({{\bf{C}}_{\bf{6}}}{{\bf{H}}_{{\bf{12}}}}{{\bf{O}}_{\bf{6}}} + {\rm{ }}{\bf{6}}{{\bf{O}}_{{\bf{2}}\;}} \to {\bf{6C}}{{\bf{O}}_{\bf{2}}} + {\rm{ }}{\bf{6}}{{\bf{H}}_{\bf{2}}}{\bf{O}}{\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}{\bf{38}}{\rm{ }}{\bf{ATP}}\)
Glucose + Oxygen ? Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy
The aerobic respiration process has three essential steps:
The highlights of Glycolysis or EMP Pathway are:
The highlights of Krebs Cycle are
The highlights of electron transport are:
Glycolysis | Krebs Cycle |
Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm. | Krebs cycle takes place in the matrix of mitochondria. |
Oxygen is not necessary for glycolysis. | In the Krebs cycle, oxygen is necessary. |
It happens in aerobic and anaerobic respiration. | It happens only in aerobic respiration. |
It is a linear pathway. | It is a cyclic pathway. |
A partial breakdown of glucose takes place converting it to two molecules of pyruvic acid. | A complete breakdown of glucose takes place, where one pyruvic acid gives three carbon dioxide molecules. |
It does not evolve carbon dioxide. | It evolves carbon dioxide. |
The examples of aerobic respiration are:
No, all human cells do not carry out aerobic respiration. In RBCs, mitochondria are absent and hence they cannot carry out aerobic respiration. Similarly, white muscle fibres and muscles during strenuous activity do not receive adequate oxygen and thus undergo anaerobic respiration.
Plants do not have specialized organs for respiration like animals and humans. The respiration process in plants occurs using glucose produced during photosynthesis and oxygen to create energy for the plant’s growth. Respiration is quite the opposite of photosynthesis. They use carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen and can be used as the source of energy later.
Respiration in plants occurs in the leaves, stems, and roots of the plant, whereas photosynthesis occurs only in the leaves and stems.
In respiration, plants exchange gases through stomata and lenticels. There are two types of respiration in plants:
Aerobic respiration plays a significant role in releasing a lot of energy which helps in the survival of life. These are the following importance of aerobic respiration:
There are substantial differences between both types of respiration:
We have summarised the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in the table below:
Basis for Comparison | Aerobic Respiration | Anaerobic Respiration |
---|---|---|
definition | The breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce a large amount of energy is called aerobic respiration. | The breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen to produce energy is called anaerobic respiration. |
chemical equation | Glucose + oxygen gives carbon dioxide + water + energy | Glucose gives lactic acid + energy |
happens in | Mitochondria from the cytoplasm. | Takes place in the cytoplasm itself. |
energy produced | A high amount of energy is produced. | Small amount of energy production. |
number of ATP released | 38 ATP. | 2 ATP. |
final product is | Carbon dioxide and water. | Lactic acid (animal cells), carbon dioxide and ethanol (plant cells). |
need it | oxygen and glucose to produce energy. | It does not require oxygen but uses glucose to produce energy. |
contains | 1. Glycolysis – also called Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway. 2. Respiratory chain (electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation). 3. The tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), also known as the citric acid cycle or the Krebs cycle. | 1. Glycolysis. 2. Fermentation |
combustion process | Full | incomplete. |
action Type | It is a long process for the production of energy. | It is a faster process than aerobic respiration. |
example | Aerobic respiration occurs in many plants and animals (eukaryotes). | Anaerobic respiration occurs in human muscle cells (eukaryotes), bacteria, yeast (prokaryotes), etc. |
Every living organism on this earth needs the energy to carry out various life processes, whether plant, animal, or human. Respiration is the process that is required to produce energy. Aerobic respiration is a part of respiration in which the cells utilize oxygen to degrade primary metabolites to produce energy.
The process of aerobic respiration in cells takes place in three steps, i.e. glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Glycolysis does not require oxygen, while the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation requires oxygen.
Q.1. How does aerobic respiration differ from anaerobic respiration?
Ans: Aerobic respiration takes place in the presence of oxygen and anaerobic respiration takes place in the absence of oxygen.
Q.2. What is aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration?
Ans: Aerobic respiration: It is a process when glucose is broken down to carbon dioxide in the presence of oxygen to produce energy in the form of ATP.
Anaerobic respiration: It is a process when glucose is broken down in the absence of oxygen. It is also called fermentation.
Q.3. Name the first product formed in the Krebs cycle.
Ans: The first product formed in the Krebs cycle is citric acid, hence it is also called the citric acid cycle.
Q.4. How many ATP are produced in aerobic respiration?
Ans: 38 ATP molecules are produced during aerobic respiration.
Q.5. Name the pathway that is common between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Ans: Glycolysis or EMP pathway is the common pathway between aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.
Q.6. Which step of aerobic respiration produces maximum ATP?
Ans: Oxidative phosphorylation produces maximum ATP, i.e. 34 ATP molecules are formed in this step.
Q.7. What is the role of oxygen in aerobic respiration?
Ans: Oxygen is responsible for accepting electrons in the electron transport chain.