aerobic and anaerobic respiration

• What is respiration?

  An exothermic reaction where energy is released from glucose molecules. It happens continuously in all living cells.
• Why do living cells need to respire?

  Living cells need an energy supply for all the process they carry out (eg, chemical reactions, keeping warm and movement). Without this energy supply, cells would die.
• What are the two types of respiration?

  Aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen)
• What is the word equation for aerobic respiration?

  glucose + oxygen --> carbon dioxide + water (plus energy is transferred, but it is not a chemical so can't go in a chemical equation)
• What is the word equation for anaerobic respiration?

  glucose --> lactic acid (plus energy is transferred...not as much as in aerobic respiration as it is not as efficient due to the oxidation of glucose being incomplete)
• Is all anaerobic respiration the same?

  No, it is different in animal, plant and yeast cells.
• What's the anaerobic respiration equation in plants/yeast?

  glucose --> ethanol + carbon dioxide
• Why is anaerobic respiration sometimes called fermentation?

  Fermentation is just anaerobic respiration in plants and yeast, and it is economically important as it is how we produce bread and alcoholic drinks.