Aerobic respiration is a process in which plants use oxygen to break down glucose molecules and produce energy (as in ATP) and water. During this process, t...
Aerobic respiration is a process in which plants use oxygen to break down glucose molecules and produce energy (as in ATP) and water. During this process, the carbon dioxide produced by the breakdown of glucose is removed from the plant and replaced with oxygen.
Anaerobic respiration is a process in which plants use alternative molecules, such as ethanol or lactic acid, to break down glucose molecules and produce energy. This process does not require oxygen and produces less energy than aerobic respiration.
The two main types of aerobic respiration are cellular respiration and leaf respiration.
Cellular respiration occurs in the cells of plant tissues. The mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of cells, have a protein called pyruvate kinase that breaks down glucose molecules to produce ATP.
Leaf respiration occurs in the leaves of plants. The mitochondria of the leaf cells have a protein called NADPH that breaks down glucose molecules to produce ATP.
Both cellular respiration and leaf respiration ultimately produce pyruvate, which can be used by the plant's other metabolic pathways