Anaerobic respiration is a type of respiration that takes place in the absence of oxygen and aerobic respiration. The steps of anaerobic respiration have some similarities to aerobic respiration. Both forms start their process with glycolysis, which is the beginning of carbohydrate catabolism, or the breakdown of larger molecules into smaller ones.Anaerobic respiration takes place in the fluid portion of the cytoplasm of cells, away from the mitochondria or any other organelles. It begins with glycolysis, which breaks apart glucose and generates energy and a compound known as pyruvate, and also includes fermentation, which breaks down the pyruvate for more energy.