4.6 anaerobic fermentation

purpose of anaerobic fermentation

to produce energy from in the form of ATP in the absence of oxygen

produces less ATP per molecule of glucose, but at a much faster rate
occurs in the cytosol

compare the two pathways in anaerobic fermentation

Animal and yeast cells produce different outputs based on the different enzymes used to catalyse the fermentation/NAD+ regeneration reaction

animals: lactic acid is produced

yeast: ethanol and carbon dioxide is produced

anaerobic fermentation in animals

inputs: glucose, NAD+, ADP+Pi
outputs: lactic acid, NAD+, ATP

anaerobic fermentation in yeast

inputs: glucose, NAD+, ADP+Pi

outputs: ethanol, carbon dioxide, NAD+, ATP

anaerobic fermentation vs. aerobic respiration

anaerobic fermentation

• does not require oxygen

• produces 2 ATP per glucose molecule

• occurs at a rapid rate

• cannot be sustained for long, since the products are toxic to the cells that produce them

aerobic respiration

• requires oxygen

• produces 30-32 ATP per glucose molecule

• occurs much slower than fermentation

• can be sustained indefinitely