Multiple choice

Why is aerobic respiration more advantageous than anaerobic respiration?

  1. Because it requires oxygen

  2. Because it produces more energy

  3. Because it causes complete breakdown of respiratory substrate

  4. Because it produces water

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A major advantage of aerobic respiration is the amount of energy it releases. Without oxygen, organisms can just split glucose into two molecules of pyruvate. This releases only enough energy to make two ATP molecules. With oxygen, organisms can break down glucose all the way to carbon dioxide. This releases enough energy to produce up to 38 ATP molecules.