How can cells using aerobic respiration function well by using fermentation?
May.03, 2010 in
Aerobic Respiration
Some cells that use the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain reactions to produce ATP also thrive by using fermentation under anaerobic conditions. Given the lower yield of ATP in fermentation, why can these cells function so efficiently under anaerobic conditions?
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:53 am
i think it has something to do with the oxygen but dont ask me google it
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:59 am
The citric acid cycle/ETC provide the most ATP available and thus are ‘better’ for the cell. However, when presented under anerobic conditions (i.e, you start running, and you feel the burn in your legs) Your leg muscle cells start to convert to doing the Glycolysis(anerobic) to create 2 pyruvate to make 2 ATP. This is a quick process and a quick fix to make ATP, however it does have a side effect – of making ethanol(and through fermentation you can make wine/tequila/etc) or latic acid (Thats the BURN you feel in your legs
).
Hope this helps