3.3: Anaerobic Respiration and Fermentation

what is anaerobic respiration

metabolic pathway in which inorganic molecules other than oxygen are used as the final electron acceptor during chemiosmotic ATP synthase

is the term anaerobic respiration synonymous with fermentation

fermentation is not synonymous. fermentation is a type of anaerobic respiration used by yeasts bacteria, humans, provides an alternate pathway for NAD oxidation to NAD+, different molecule than oxygen as electron acceptor

why is fermentation less efficient at supplying energy

pyruvate is reused in glycolysis, does not go through krebs cycle

where does fermentation occur

cytosol of muscle cells

significant of NADH oxidized back into NAD+

NAD+ must be reused in glycolysis for process to continue

why does fermentation produce fewer ATP molecules than aerobic respiration

no ETC in anaerobic respiration, where most ATP is converted

why is glycolysis included with both aerobic respiration and anaerobic`

glycolysis does not require oxygen

how does yeast make bread rise in alcohol fermentation

pyruvate decarboxylated into acetyl aldehyde, acetyl aldehyde used to oxidize NADH —> NAD+, ethanol produced as waste product. pyruvate —> 2 ethanol + 2 CO2 + 2 ATP, CO2 makes bread rise

slow oxidative muscle fibres

many mitochondria, allows for sustained postures or movements, oxidation of fatty acids and amino acids

fast glycolytic fibres

few mitochondria, powerful quick movements, ATP from glycolysis

why do sprinters have fast glycolytic fibres

sprinters need ATP at a faster rate, glycolysis produces few ATP very fast

why do long distance runners need slow glycolytic fibres

long distance runners need many ATP over a longer period of time, oxidation of fatty acids and amino acids produces more ATP

does it make sense to buy a pyruvate supplement

no, because glucose produces more ATP at about the sam rate, could be helpful for people missing enzyme that turns glucose into pyruvate

how does prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide cause death

without oxygen, link reaction and ETC cannot proceed. could cause death due to lack of ATP being made in just anaerobic respiration