Anaerobic Respiration

• Anaerobic respiration is the process of releasing energy from glucose, or other organic substances, in the absence of oxygen.
• This process occurs in some plants and microorganisms, and also in human muscle cells when there is insufficient oxygen during vigorous exercise.
• The equation for anaerobic respiration in organisms such as yeast is: glucose -> ethanol + carbon dioxide + energy
• In humans, the equation for anaerobic respiration is: glucose -> lactic acid + energy
• The energy yield from anaerobic respiration is significantly less than that of aerobic respiration. This is because the breakdown of glucose is incomplete.
• Lactic acid formed in muscle cells during anaerobic respiration may cause muscle fatigue. It is transported to the liver where it is converted back to glucose when oxygen is available.
• The process of converting glucose to lactic acid is known as fermentation.
• In yeast, the products of anaerobic respiration (namely, ethanol and carbon dioxide) are useful in brewing and bread-making industries.
• The building up of lactic acid in muscle tissues can lead to oxygen debt. This is the additional amount of oxygen required to remove the accumulated lactic acid and convert it back to glucose.