| Aerobic respiration | Anaerobic respiration |
| 1. It takes place in the presence of oxygen. | 1. It takes place in the absence of oxygen. |
| 2. In aerobic respiration, complete oxidation of glucose takes place. | 2. In anaerobic respiration, the glucose molecule is incompletely oxidised. |
| 3. End products are CO2 and water. | 3. End products are either ethyl alcohol or lactic acid and CO2 . |
| 4. Lot of energy is liberated (38 ATP). | 4. Relatively small energy is liberated (2 ATP). |
| 5. It occurs in plant’s and animal’s cells. | 5. Occurs in many anaerobic bacteria and human muscle cells. |
6. C6H12O6 + 6O2 →
6CO2+6H2O + 686 K.cal | 6.C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2+ 56 K.cal |
| 7. It has two stages – Glycolysis and Krebs cycle. | 7. It has two stages – Glycolysis and Fermentation. |
