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Definition

noun

(1) A form of cellular respiration that requires oxygen in order to generate energy.

(2) The process of generating energy by the full oxidation of nutrients through Krebs cycle where oxygen is the final electron acceptor.

Supplement

With aerobic respiration, glycolysis continues with the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. These post-glycolytic reactions occur in the mitochondria in eukaryotic cells, and in the cytoplasm in prokaryotic cells.

Aerobic metabolism is more efficient than anaerobic metabolism in terms of ATP net gain.

Compare: anaerobic respiration.
See also: cellular respiration.