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When oxygen is in short supply, cells can still release energy from glucose through anaerobic respiration. This lesson covers anaerobic respiration in animals and plants/yeast, the equations, and the concept of oxygen debt. This is a key topic in the AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy specification (8464).
Anaerobic respiration is the release of energy from glucose without using oxygen. It occurs when the body cannot supply oxygen to cells fast enough to meet demand — for example, during intense exercise.
Anaerobic respiration is less efficient than aerobic respiration because glucose is only partially broken down, so less energy is released per molecule.
In animal cells, anaerobic respiration produces lactic acid:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reactant | Glucose |
| Product | Lactic acid |
| Oxygen | Not required |
| Energy yield | Much less than aerobic respiration |
| Where it occurs | In the cytoplasm of cells (not in mitochondria) |
| When it occurs | During vigorous exercise when oxygen supply is insufficient |
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