What is the key difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration produces more energy than anaerobic respiration is the key difference between these two processes. During aerobic respiration, cells utilize oxygen to break down glucose, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide, water, and a significant amount of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). In contrast, anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen and yields much less ATP from the same amount of glucose, which is reflected in processes such as fermentation.

The other options present inaccuracies regarding the nature of these two types of respiration. For instance, aerobic respiration does not occur only in plants; it takes place in many organisms, including animals, fungi, and some bacteria. Additionally, aerobic respiration requires oxygen, while anaerobic respiration is characterized by the lack of oxygen. Lastly, aerobic respiration primarily takes place in the mitochondria, not the cytoplasm, while anaerobic respiration generally occurs in the cytoplasm. This distinction in cellular locations also further underlines the differences in energy production methods between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.