2.6.2 Anaerobic respiration

Question 1

How do muscles obtain energy if insufficient oxygen is reaching them?

Answer 1

During exercise, if insufficient oxygen is reaching the

muscles they use anaerobic respiration to obtain energy.

Question 2

What is anaerobic respiration?

Answer 2

Anaerobic respiration is the incomplete breakdown

of glucose and produces lactic acid.

Question 3

What is the HT bit you need to know?

Answer 3

As the breakdown of glucose is incomplete,
much less energy is released than during
aerobic respiration. Anaerobic respiration
results in an oxygen debt that has to be
repaid in order to oxidise lactic acid to
carbon dioxide and water.

Question 4

What is a cause of muscle fatigue and how can it be fixed?

Answer 4

One cause of muscle fatigue is the build-up
of lactic acid in the muscles. Blood flowing through
the muscles removes the lactic acid.