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What process do cells undergo when oxygen is unavailable? chemosynthesisaerobic respirationanaerobic respiration

Question

What process do cells undergo when oxygen is unavailable? chemosynthesisaerobic respirationanaerobic respiration

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Solution

When oxygen is unavailable, cells undergo a process called anaerobic respiration. Here are the steps:

  1. Glycolysis: This is the first step of both aerobic and anaerobic respiration. It occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. One glucose molecule (6 carbons) is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate (3 carbons each). This process produces 2 ATP molecules and also generates 2 NADH molecules.

  2. Fermentation: This is the process that follows glycolysis if oxygen is not available. There are two types of fermentation: lactic acid fermentation and alcoholic fermentation.

    • Lactic Acid Fermentation: This occurs in muscle cells when they are deprived of oxygen. The pyruvate from glycolysis is converted into lactic acid, and NADH is oxidized back into NAD+. No additional ATP is produced in this step.

    • Alcoholic Fermentation: This occurs in yeast and some bacteria. The pyruvate from glycolysis is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide, and NADH is oxidized back into NAD+. No additional ATP is produced in this step.

The purpose of fermentation is to regenerate NAD+ so that glycolysis can continue to produce ATP in the absence of oxygen.

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Similar Questions

What is the name of respiration that occurs in the presence of oxygen?

Cellular respiration is called an aerobic process because it requires

What type of respiration occurs when oxygen is in short supply?

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