Which of the following is a key characteristic of aerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration is characterized by the involvement of oxygen in the metabolic process that breaks down glucose to produce energy. One of the distinguishing features of aerobic respiration is that it yields significantly more energy than anaerobic processes, which occur without oxygen.

During aerobic respiration, glucose is completely oxidized, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide and water, while generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of cells. This process can produce up to approximately 36 to 38 molecules of ATP from one molecule of glucose, whereas anaerobic respiration typically produces only 2 ATP molecules from the same amount of glucose.

This higher energy yield is essential for organisms that require more energy for growth, movement, and various cellular functions. Therefore, the ability of aerobic respiration to produce more energy makes it a crucial process for many organisms, especially those that rely on it for survival and energy needs.