Here we have compared Differences between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration
| Aerobic Respiration | Anaerobic Respiration |
| Method. It is the common method of respiration | It occurs permanently only in a few organisms. In others it may occur as a temporary measure to overcome shortage of oxygen. |
| Steps. It is completed in 3 steps-glycolysis, Krebs cycle and terminal oxidation. | There are two steps, glycolysis and anaerobic breakdown of pyruvic acid. |
| Oxygen. It requires oxygen. | Oxygen is not required. |
| Breakdown. Respiratory substrate is completely broken down. | Respiratory substrate is incompletely broken down. |
| End Products. They are inorganic. | Atleast one end product is organic. Inorganic products may or may not be present. |
| Toxicity. End products show little toxicity. | The organic end product is generally toxic. |
| Occurrence. It occurs partly in cytoplasm and partly in mitochondria. | Anaerobic respiration is carried out entirely in cytoplasm. Mitochondria are not required. |
| E.T.C. An electron transport chain is required. | ETC is not required. |
| Energy. In releases 686 kcal or 2870 kJ of energy per mole of glucose. | Energy liberated is 36-50 kcal or 150-210 kJ per mole of glucose. |
| ATP. The liberated energy is used in forming 36-38 ATP molecules per mole of glucose. | The liberated energy is used in synthesis of 2 ATP molecules. |