What is the Difference Between Anaerobic Respiration in Plants and Animals?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between anaerobic respiration in plants and animals lies in the end products of the process. Anaerobic respiration is a process that breaks down glucose molecules partially and produces less energy compared to aerobic respiration. Here are the key differences between anaerobic respiration in plants and animals:
- End Products: In plants, the end products of anaerobic respiration are ethanol, carbon dioxide, and ATP. In animals, the primary end product is lactic acid, which is later oxidized to water and carbon dioxide.
- Heat Energy Released: Anaerobic respiration in plants releases more heat energy than in animals.
- Carbon Dioxide Evolution: In anaerobic respiration in plants, carbon dioxide is evolved. In contrast, carbon dioxide is not evolved during anaerobic respiration in animals.
- Foaming: Foaming occurs in plants due to the release of carbon dioxide during anaerobic respiration. This does not happen in animals.
- Danger to the Organism: Anaerobic respiration in plants can be dangerous for the plant, whereas anaerobic respiration in animals may not be as dangerous.
Despite these differences, both plants and animals use anaerobic respiration as a way to produce energy in the absence of oxygen.
Comparative Table: Anaerobic Respiration in Plants vs Animals
The main differences between anaerobic respiration in plants and animals are the products formed and the cells where the process occurs. Here is a table summarizing the differences:
Feature | Anaerobic Respiration in Plants | Anaerobic Respiration in Animals |
---|---|---|
Products | Ethanol and Carbon Dioxide | Lactic Acid |
Occurrence | Plant Cells | Animal Cells |
Enzymes | Pyruvate Decarboxylase and Alcohol Dehydrogenase | Lactic Dehydrogenase |
Coenzymes | Thiamine Pyrophosphate (TPP) | Flavin Mononucleotide (FMN) and Cofactor Zn2+ |
Heat Energy | More Heat Released | Less Heat Released |
Foaming | Causes Foaming due to CO2 release | No Foaming |
Both plants and animals can undergo anaerobic respiration, also known as fermentation, when oxygen is not available. In plants, this process results in the production of ethanol and carbon dioxide, while in animals, it results in the production of lactic acid. The enzymes and coenzymes involved in the process are also different between the two.
- Aerobic Respiration vs Anaerobic Respiration
- Fermentation vs Anaerobic Respiration
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Fermentation
- Fermentation vs Respiration
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Biodegradation
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Metabolism
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Bacteria
- Plants vs Animals
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Microorganisms
- Photosynthesis vs Photorespiration
- Respiration vs Cellular Respiration
- Photosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration
- Respiration vs Photosynthesis
- Breathing vs Cellular Respiration
- Plant vs Animal Cells
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Glycolysis
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment
- Animal Cell vs Plant Cell
- Oxygenic vs Anoxygenic Photosynthesis