Anaerobic Respiration / Fermentation

Question 1

What is anaerobic respiration?

Answer 1

• no oxygen, but you can use nitrogen and sometimes sulphur
• some organisms are able to use both oxygen and another element as an electron acceptor. These are facilitative anaerobes

Question 2

What is fermentation?

Answer 2

• another anaerobic pathway that results in the oxidation of NADH in the absence of oxygen
• does not produce ATP through an electron transport chain and electrochemical gradient. As a result, it is not considered respiration

Question 3

What is lactate fermentation?

Answer 3

• use the pyruvate to oxidize NADPH. Pyruvate is reduced into lactate and eventually forms lactic acid. NADH is oxidized to form NAD +

Question 4

What is ethanol fermentation?

Answer 4

• use the pyruvate and converted to ethanol and CO2 in a two step process. Like lactate fermentation, the production of ethanol helps to oxidize NADH back to NAD + so it can be used again in glycolysis

Question 5

Can lactate be served as another source of energy in the human body?

Answer 5

• yes