Anaerobic Respiration Flashcards
What reaction occurs during anaerobic respiration?
Glycolysis as it doesn’t need molecular oxygen.
What type of anaerobic respiration occurs in animals?
Lactate fermentation.
What the is the process of lactate fermentation?
Glucose is converted to pyruvate via glycosis.
Reduced NAD (from glycolysis) transfers hydrogen to pyruvate to form lactate and NAD.
NAD can then be reused in glycolysis.
Why is it important the NAD is regenerated?
For glycolysis to continue, a constant supply of NAD is required. It allows glycolysis to continue even though there is little oxygen avaliable.
What is the purpose of anaerobic respiration?
It allows animals to make a small amount of ATP when there is little oxygen avaliable.
What is a pro and con of anaerobic respiration?
Pro: Rapid and can supply ATP when oxygen is not being delivered quickly enough to cells.
Con: It is an inefficient process.
What does lactate form and what does it cause?
Lactic acid and it lowers the pH and it can inhibit enzymes and, if allowed to build up, can cause muscle cramps.
How is lactic acid removed?
Once aerobic respiration resumes, most lactate is converted by to pyruvate. It’s oxidised via krebs cycle into CO2 and H2O. The extra oxygen required for this process is called oxygen debt.
Liver cells can convert lactic acid back to glucose where it can be respired or stored.
