Master the A Level Biology Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your test. Start your journey to excellence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What occurs during anaerobic respiration?

  1. Carbon dioxide is exclusively produced

  2. Oxygen is consumed

  3. Energy is released without oxygen

  4. ATP is not generated

The correct answer is: Energy is released without oxygen

During anaerobic respiration, energy is produced in the absence of oxygen. This process allows organisms, particularly some bacteria and yeast, to convert glucose into energy when oxygen is not available. Instead of using oxygen, anaerobic respiration results in the partial breakdown of glucose, yielding energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), along with byproducts like lactic acid or ethanol, depending on the organism. The fact that anaerobic respiration takes place without oxygen is crucial, as it distinguishes it from aerobic respiration, where oxygen is an essential component for energy production. While carbon dioxide can also be produced during anaerobic processes—especially in yeast fermentation—the key aspect of anaerobic respiration is the ability to generate energy without reliance on oxygen. Thus, the correct choice highlights this essential function of anaerobic respiration.