Types of Respiration
Degradation of organic food for the purpose of releasing energy can occur with or without the participation of oxygen. Hence respiration can be classified into two types namely aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Aerobic respiration
Aerobic respiration takes place in the presence of oxygen and the respiratory substrate gets completely oxidised to carbon dioxide and water as end products.This type of respiration is of common occurrence and it is often used as a synonym of respiration.
C6H12O6 + 6O2-> 6CO2 + 6H2O + 686 K.cal
Anaerobic respiration
It takes place in the absence of oxygen and the respiratory substrate is incompletely oxidised. Some other compounds are also formed in addition to carbon dioxide. This type of respiration is of rare occurrence but common among microorganisms like yeasts.
C6H12O6 -> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 + 56K.cal
Aerobic respiration vs Anaerobic respiration
Aerobic respiration 1. Common in all higher plants and animals
2. The process occurs inside living cells
3. The process occurs in the presence of oxygen
4. It is a permanent process that continuous throughout the life of plants and animals
5. Energy is released in greater amounts in the form of ATP ~ 36 ATP molecules
6. The process is non toxic to both plants and animals
7. End products are CO2 and H2O
Anaerobic respiration
1. Common in certain microorganisms but very rare in all higher plants and animals
2. The process occurs inside living cells, but living cells are not essential in some cases
3. The process occurs in the absence of oxygen
4. It is a permanent process in anaerobic microorganisms but a temporary process in higher plants and animals only under anaerobic condition
5. Energy is released in lesser amounts in the form of ATP ~ 2 ATP molecules. Heat is also generated in fermentation
6.The process often toxic to both plants and animals
7. End products are ethanol and CO2
