What type of anaerobic respiration occurs in animals

Visit this site to see anaerobic cellular respiration in action. Other fermentation methods occur in bacteria. Many prokaryotes are facultatively anaerobic. This means that they can switch between aerobic respiration and fermentation, depending on the availability of oxygen. Certain prokaryotes, like Clostridia bacteria, are obligate anaerobes. Obligate anaerobes live and grow in the absence of molecular oxygen. Oxygen is a poison to these microorganisms and kills them upon exposure.

It should be noted that all forms of fermentation, except lactic acid fermentation, produce gas. The production of particular types of gas is used as an indicator of the fermentation of specific carbohydrates, which plays a role in the laboratory identification of the bacteria. Without these pathways, that step would not occur, and no ATP would be harvested from the breakdown of glucose. If NADH cannot be metabolized through aerobic respiration, another electron acceptor is used. Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: Discuss the fundamental difference between anaerobic cellular respiration and fermentation Describe the type of fermentation that readily occurs in animal cells and the conditions that initiate that fermentation.

Figure 4. Concept in Action Visit this site to see anaerobic cellular respiration in action. Previous: 4. Next: 4. Aerobic respiration occurs in animal cells and plant cells when there is oxygen available, the oxygen and glucose react together to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy. This process completely breaks down the glucose molecule.

Anaerobic respiration occurs when oxygen is not available and occurs differently in animal and plant cells. In animal cells anaerobic respiration often occurs during exercise. The glucose does not get fully broken down in this process, so it does not release its full potential energy.

Instead of carbon dioxide and water it breaks down to form lactic acid and a small amount of energy. This is anaerobic respiration. Without oxygen the breakdown of the food is incomplete. This means less energy is released. If the lactic acid builds up it can stop the muscles from working, causing cramp. This lactic acid needs to be broken down. This requires oxygen.