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Cellular Respiration - Anaerobic Respiration

Anaerobic Respiration

Anaerobic respiration occurs in the cytoplasm when no oxygen is present for the cell to continue respiration after glycolysis. There are two common forms of anaerobic respiration:

  • Alcoholic fermentation occurs in plants, fungi, and bacteria. Each pyruvate is converted to a molecule of ethanol and one NADH is used in the reaction.

  • Lactate fermentation occurs in animals. Each pyruvate is converted to lactate and one NADH is used.

The purpose of both fermentation processes is to free NADH for use in glycolysis.


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