Anaerobic respiration produces a net total of 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule. This ATP is generated solely through glycolysis, as the electron transport chain and mitochondrial processes do not operate without oxygen. The pyruvate produced in glycolysis is then converted into lactate (in animals) or ethanol and carbon dioxide (in plants and yeasts) to regenerate NAD+, allowing glycolysis to continue
. Compared to aerobic respiration, which yields about 30–32 ATP per glucose molecule, anaerobic respiration is much less efficient because glucose is only partially oxidized
. However, anaerobic respiration allows cells to produce ATP quickly when oxygen is scarce, such as during intense muscle activity
. In summary:
- ATP yield in anaerobic respiration: 2 ATP per glucose (from glycolysis only)
- No ATP produced from mitochondrial processes due to lack of oxygen
- Pyruvate is converted to lactate or ethanol to recycle NAD+ for glycolysis continuation
