What is anaerobic respiration?
Q: What is anaerobic respiration?
A: Anaerobic respiration is a form of respiration which does not use oxygen. Elements other than oxygen are used for electron transport.
Q: What elements can be used as replacements for oxygen in anaerobic respiration?
A: Common replacements for oxygen in anaerobic respiration are nitrates, iron, manganese, sulfates, sulfur, fumaric acid and carbon dioxide.
Q: What organism uses nitrates and fumaric acid for respiration?
A: Escherichia coli uses nitrates and fumaric acid for respiration.
Q: What must be present at the end of the electron transport chain to allow electrons to pass through it?
A: A final electron acceptor must be present at the end of the chain to allow electrons to pass through it. In aerobic organisms this acceptor is usually molecular oxygen. In anaerobes other less-oxidizing substances such as sulphate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−), sulphur (S) are used instead.
Q: How efficient is anaerobic respiration compared to aerobic respiration?
A: Anaerobic respiration is less efficient than aerobic respiration except when oxygen is scarce. If there is no oxygen present glycolysis still happens but lactic acid will be formed instead of pyruvic acid proceeding to the Krebs cycle making small amounts of ATP.
Q: How does lactic acid form when exercising if there isn't enough oxygen available?
A: When exercising if the body isn't able to get enough oxygen to the muscles they will make lactic acid which makes them sore.
Q: What process occurs if no oxygen is used at all during anaerobic respiration?
A: If no oxygen is used at all during anaerobic respirations then fermentation occurs with examples being lactic acid bacteria and yeast fungi organisms using this process .
