Question

Distinguish between aerobic respiration and fermentation.

Answer 1

Hint: Here, we need to provide a basis for differentiation. Aerobic respiration is a metabolic process that occurs in the presence of oxygen while fermentation is a catabolic process that occurs in the absence of oxygen.

Complete answer:
The two process fermentation and aerobic respiration provide energy to the cells in different plants in different ways. They have many similarities between them but a few major differences exist too. Let us find out the differences.
-At first, differentiate between fermentation and aerobic respiration in terms of the elements they use to carry out the process. Aerobic respiration uses oxygen to produce energy, unlike fermentation. Therefore, our muscles produce energy by lactic acid fermentation because they lack oxygen after heavy exercises.
-Secondly, they differ in terms of end products produced. In aerobic respiration, ATP or adenosine triphosphate is the main energy source used in all chemical processes in our body. In lactic acid fermentation, lactic acid is produced while in alcoholic fermentation, carbon dioxide and ethanol are generated.
-Thirdly, the number of steps engaged in the process. Fermentation requires only one-step to produce the residues whereas aerobic respiration occurs in two steps. The first step produces ATP and carbon dioxide and the second step produces water.
-Lastly, we can differentiate them on the basis of organisms which use these processes. Fermentation is a very basic process, which does not require oxygen. In the past, the atmosphere did not constitute oxygen but the survival of organisms required energy, so the very first microorganisms utilized fermentation for energy. Yeast and bacteria use fermentation to produce energy. They are considered very primary and primitive. With evolution, complexity enhanced and now all organisms use aerobic respiration processes to obtain energy. Humans use aerobic respiration and in some cases fermentation as well.

Note: Fermentation is a process used in baking cake and cooking widely. It is used to make cakes softer and plumpier. Substances like baking soda that are used to bake the cake, these baking soda helps the cake to ferment. In aerobic respiration, glucose is converted into ATP, carbon dioxide and water. It involves four known processes, glycolysis, and production of acetyl coenzyme A, Krebs cycle and chemiosmosis.