biochemistry question? why is aerobic respiration more efficient than fermentation?

Answer 1

Aerobic respiration can result in more ATP molecules and less build-up of toxic by-products.

Answer 2

OK this is kinda stupid sounding but the reason it is more efficient is because it is a much sloppier process.

Let me explain
aerobic uses oxygen and basically the atoms are passed around like the pope in an abortion clinic and every time it is energy is released. Now ADP molecules come along mop up all that spilt energy making 16 times the ATP energy molecules than if the process is done without O2 which is a faster more efficient process.

So by being sloppy and spilling energy..aerobic respiration actually makes more ATP which makes it superior as a energy creation process than the "streamlined" anaerobic process

Answer 3

Aerobic respiration uses 1 glucose molecule to make 38 total ATP. Lactic acid fermentation uses 1 glucose molecule to make 2 ATP and products to allow glycolysis to continue. Which means that aerobic respiration is nearly 20x's more efficient then lactic or alcohol fermentation. 2 ATP to 38ATP

Answer 4

Aerobic respiration oxidizes glucose all the way to CO2 and water, with production of 36 ATP. Fermentation breaks down glucose to lactic acid, ethanol and CO2, with production of 2-4 ATP. Therefore fermentation can support the life of unicellular organisms.

Answer 5

not completely sure but it has something to do with how useful the products are and comparing how much energy is produced by both processes