Anaerobic respiration
Releasing energy from glucose without oxygen. It releases less energy than aerobic respiration.
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Analogy
A backup generator: it works, but it gives much less power.
In practice
In a sprint, muscles make lactic acid, which causes cramp and tiredness.
Practice
Flashcards
- What substance builds up in muscles during anaerobic respiration?Lactic acid.
Interview questions
- Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration in humans.
- Aerobic uses oxygen and releases more energy
- Aerobic makes carbon dioxide and water
- Anaerobic makes lactic acid
- Anaerobic is used when oxygen is short, such as in a sprint
Questions people ask
Why does anaerobic respiration release less energy?
The glucose is only partly broken down. Lactic acid still holds a lot of unreleased energy, so far less is transferred than in aerobic respiration, where glucose is fully broken down to carbon dioxide and water. This is why anaerobic respiration is used only for short bursts.
What is anaerobic respiration in yeast?
Yeast breaks down glucose without oxygen into ethanol and carbon dioxide. This is called fermentation. Bakers use the carbon dioxide to make bread rise. Brewers use the ethanol to make beer and wine. Unlike muscle cells, yeast does not make lactic acid.