Tuesday, November 1, 2016

2.36 write the word equation for anaerobic respiration in plants and in animals

 Anaerobic respiration in plants and yeast:
Glucose à carbon dioxide + ethanol (+small amount of energy)

Anaerobic respiration in animals (muscles):
Glucose à lactic acid (+small amount of energy)

Anaerobic respiration produces an oxygen debt (where oxygen is need to be taken in to break down the lactic acid that builds up in the muscles/respiring cells.
Lactic acid is what causes cramps. It breaks down to carbon dioxide + water (by oxygen)

The oxygen debt is the reason we breathe deeply and quickly after exercise: to break down lactic acid (because of oxygen), increase oxygen intake which helps to “repay” the oxygen debt or to use it to respire aerobically.


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