Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Aerobic respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and energy in the form of ATP. It occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.
Related terms
Anaerobic Respiration: Anaerobic respiration is a type of cellular respiration that occurs without the presence of oxygen. Instead of producing carbon dioxide and water, it produces lactic acid or ethanol as byproducts.
Krebs Cycle: The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, is a series of chemical reactions that occur during aerobic respiration. It takes place in the mitochondria and generates high-energy molecules such as NADH and FADH2.
Electron Transport Chain: The electron transport chain is a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It plays a crucial role in aerobic respiration by transferring electrons from NADH and FADH2 to generate ATP.