Anaerobic respiration

Anaerobic respiration- Notes

·         In the absence of oxygen, the link reaction, kerbs cycle and electron transport chain could not take place

·         This leaves only the anaerobic process of Glycolysis as a potential source if ATP

However !

·         For Glycolysis to continue, its products; pyruvate and hydrogen must be released in order for NAD to be regenerated. If there is no none reduced NAD then glycolysis cannot take place.

·         NAD is replenished by pyruvate accepting the hydrogen from the reduced NAD

The Products

·         In eukaryotic cells and in some microorganisms such as yeast, the pyruvate is converted to ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Pyruvate + reduced NAD --> ethanol + carbon dioxide + NAD

·         In animal cells, the pyruvate is converted lactic acid.

Pyruvate + reduced NAD --> Lactate + NAD

Energy Yields From Anaerobic and Aerobic Respiration

In respiration energy is derived in two ways

1.       Substrate level phosphorylation

This happens in glycolysis and the krebs cycle and is the result of ADP reacting with inorganic phosphate to from ATP directly.

2.       Oxidative Phosphorylation

This happens during the electron transport chain. Oxidative phosphorylation is the indirect linking of ADP and inorganic phosphate . The energy yield for this is much greater than it is for this type of phosphorylation