Energy Yield of Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration (OCR A Level Biology): Revision Note

Energy Yield of Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration

• In cells there is a much greater energy yield from respiration in aerobic conditions than in anaerobic conditions

• In anaerobic respiration glucose is only partially oxidised meaning only some of its chemical potential energy is released and transferred to ATP

  • The only ATP producing reaction that continues is glycolysis (~2 ATP)

• As there is no oxygen to act as the final electron acceptor none of the reactions within the mitochondria can take place

  • The stages that take place inside the mitochondria produce much more ATP than glycolysis alone (~36 ATP)

Comparing Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration Table