Question

Why is aerobic respiration more efficient than anaerobic respiration?
a. Because aerobic respiration occurs in oxygen rich environment
b. Because aerobic respiration occurs in higher animals
c. Because aerobic respiration yields more energy compared to anaerobic respiration
d. Anaerobic respiration is more effective than aerobic respiration

Answer 1

Hint: In aerobic respiration, oxygen is the electron acceptor while in anaerobic respiration, sulfate or nitrate ion or other molecules that have smaller reduction potentials are the electron acceptor. After glycolysis, pyruvate undergoes further breakdown through Krebs cycle in aerobic respiration or fermentation in anaerobic respiration.

Complete answer:
> Option (A) is incorrect. Aerobic respiration is more efficient than anaerobic respiration because aerobic respiration yields 6 times more energy as compared to anaerobic respiration.

> Option (B) is incorrect. The efficiency of aerobic respiration as compared to anaerobic respiration depends on the amount of energy produced but not on the organisms in which it takes place.

> Option (C) is correct. Aerobic respiration is more efficient than anaerobic respiration because aerobic respiration yields more energy as compared to anaerobic respiration. The yield of ATP in aerobic respiration is about 32 to 38 molecules while in anaerobic respiration it is about 5 to 6 molecules which is approximately 6 times less than that of aerobic respiration.

> Option (D) is incorrect. Anaerobic respiration is not more effective than aerobic respiration because anaerobic respiration yields less energy compared to aerobic respiration.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Aerobic respiration takes place in organisms that are found in oxygen-rich environments. Due to the presence of a double-bond between oxygen atoms that have higher energy as compared to other bonds thus helping in the production of more ATP molecules. Anaerobic respiration takes place in organisms that are found in low-oxygen environments. The final electron acceptors have smaller reduction potential than oxygen molecules thus resulting in less energy production.