In the process of aerobic respiration, a single molecule of glucose can yield up to 36 ATP molecules. However, in fermentation or anaerobic respiration there is net gain of only 2 molecules of ATP from each glucose molecule, which is comparatively much less than that of aerobic respiration.
Hence, aerobic respiration is more efficient process.
Pyruvic acid is the end product of glycolysis. What are the three metabolic fates of pyruvic acid under aerobic and anaerobic conditions? Write in the space provided in the diagram.
The three metabolic products formed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions are
(i) Lactic acid (ii) Ethanol (iii) Acetyl Co -A
Lactic acid is formed by the oxidation of pyruvic acid in under anaerobic condition in skeletal muscles.
Ethanol is formed by the oxidation of pyruvic acid in yeast under anaerobic condition.
Acetyl Co-A is formed by the oxidation of pyruvic acid that take place within the mitochondria under aerobic condition.
Pyruvic acid $+\mathrm{Co}-\mathrm{A}+\mathrm{NAD}^{+} \frac{\mathrm{Mg}^{2+}}{\text { Pyruvate dehydrogenase }}$ Acetyl $\mathrm{Co}-\mathrm{A}+\mathrm{CO}_2+\mathrm{NADH}+\mathrm{H}^{+}$
Aerobic respiration occurs in normal conditions in human beings. Under intense conditions such as excercises heavy, muscles demand too much energy (ATP) and consume much more oxygen to produce that energy. This high consumption leads to oxygen scarcity and the muscle cells begin to make lactic acid by anaerobic respiration to fulfill their energetic needs. Similarly, yeast cells under deficient conditions of oxygen carry out anaerobic respiration, forming ethyl alcohol and $\mathrm{CO}_2$.
Aerobic respiration requires oxygen in order to generate ATP. Oxygen is strongly electronegative element and acts as final acceptor in respiratory process.
It pullse ${ }^{-}$(electrons) that energy from the electron transport chain ETC and take up protons from medium to form water.
$\mathrm{O}_2$ enters in the respiratory process at the end, though it's presence is vital. It drives the process of aerobic respiration by removing hydrogen from the system. Thus, acting as final hydrogen acceptor.
The energy is produced by the process of oxidative phosphorylation, utilising the energy of exidation reduction reactions.
