Which type of respiration is less efficient and often occurs in conditions with low oxygen?

Which type of respiration is less efficient and often occurs in conditions with low oxygen?

• A. Aerobic respiration
• B. Anaerobic respiration
• C. Cellular respiration
• D. Photorespiration

Answer: (B)

Anaerobic respiration is the correct answer because it occurs in environments where oxygen is either absent or present in very low quantities. This process allows organisms, such as certain bacteria and yeast, to produce energy through the breakdown of glucose without the need for oxygen. However, it is less efficient than aerobic respiration, which utilizes oxygen to fully oxidize glucose and yields a higher amount of ATP (energy currency of the cell). In anaerobic respiration, only a minimal amount of ATP is produced from each glucose molecule compared to aerobic processes. Additionally, anaerobic respiration typically results in byproducts such as lactic acid or ethanol, which can accumulate and cause issues in cells if not removed. This understanding highlights the efficiency differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration, particularly in response to oxygen availability. While cellular respiration comprises both aerobic and anaerobic pathways, it does not specifically refer to the less efficient process alone. Photorespiration, which occurs in plants, involves the fixation of oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, leading to wasted energy; however, it is unrelated to the efficiency comparison of respiration types in low oxygen conditions.

Anaerobic respiration is the correct answer because it occurs in environments where oxygen is either absent or present in very low quantities. This process allows organisms, such as certain bacteria and yeast, to produce energy through the breakdown of glucose without the need for oxygen. However, it is less efficient than aerobic respiration, which utilizes oxygen to fully oxidize glucose and yields a higher amount of ATP (energy currency of the cell).

In anaerobic respiration, only a minimal amount of ATP is produced from each glucose molecule compared to aerobic processes. Additionally, anaerobic respiration typically results in byproducts such as lactic acid or ethanol, which can accumulate and cause issues in cells if not removed. This understanding highlights the efficiency differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration, particularly in response to oxygen availability.

While cellular respiration comprises both aerobic and anaerobic pathways, it does not specifically refer to the less efficient process alone. Photorespiration, which occurs in plants, involves the fixation of oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, leading to wasted energy; however, it is unrelated to the efficiency comparison of respiration types in low oxygen conditions.