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By the end of this section, you will be able to:
  • Discuss the fundamental difference between anaerobic cellular respiration and fermentation
  • Describe the type of fermentation that readily occurs in animal cells and the conditions that initiate that fermentation

In aerobic respiration, the final electron acceptor is an oxygen molecule, O 2 . If aerobic respiration occurs, then ATP will be produced using the energy of the high-energy electrons carried by NADH or FADH 2 to the electron transport chain. If aerobic respiration does not occur, NADH must be reoxidized to NAD + for reuse as an electron carrier for glycolysis to continue. How is this done? Some living systems use an organic molecule as the final electron acceptor. Processes that use an organic molecule to regenerate NAD + from NADH are collectively referred to as fermentation    . In contrast, some living systems use an inorganic molecule (other than oxygen) as a final electron acceptor to regenerate NAD + ; both methods are anaerobic (do not require oxygen) to achieve NAD + regeneration and enable organisms to convert energy for their use in the absence of oxygen.

Lactic acid fermentation

The fermentation method used by animals and some bacteria like those in yogurt is lactic acid fermentation ( [link] ). This occurs routinely in mammalian red blood cells and in skeletal muscle that has insufficient oxygen supply to allow aerobic respiration to continue (that is, in muscles used to the point of fatigue). In muscles, lactic acid produced by fermentation must be removed by the blood circulation and brought to the liver for further metabolism. The chemical reaction of lactic acid fermentation is the following:

Pyruvic acid  + NADH lactic acid + NAD +

The enzyme that catalyzes this reaction is lactate dehydrogenase. The reaction can proceed in either direction, but the left-to-right reaction is inhibited by acidic conditions. This lactic acid build-up causes muscle stiffness and fatigue. Once the lactic acid has been removed from the muscle and is circulated to the liver, it can be converted back to pyruvic acid and further catabolized for energy.

Art connection

A graphic shows glucose undergoing glycolysis to become two pyruvate molecules, which then undergo fermentation to become two lactate molecules. During glycolysis, two NAD+ are converted into two high-energy NADH molecules, but during fermentation, these two NADH molecules are reoxidized to become two NAD+ again. NAD+ can then be used in glycolysis.
Lactic acid fermentation is common in muscles that have become exhausted by use.

Tremetol, a metabolic poison found in white snake root plant, prevents the metabolism of lactate. When cows eat this plant, Tremetol is concentrated in the milk. Humans who consume the milk become ill. Symptoms of this disease, which include vomiting, abdominal pain, and tremors, become worse after exercise. Why do you think this is the case?

Alcohol fermentation

Another familiar fermentation process is alcohol fermentation ( [link] ), which produces ethanol, an alcohol. The alcohol fermentation reaction is the following:

Graphic showing the alcohol fermentation reaction in an equation.
The reaction resulting in alcohol fermentation is shown.

In the first reaction, a carboxyl group is removed from pyruvic acid, releasing carbon dioxide as a gas. The loss of carbon dioxide reduces the molecule by one carbon atom, making acetaldehyde. The second reaction removes an electron from NADH, forming NAD + and producing ethanol from the acetaldehyde, which accepts the electron. The fermentation of pyruvic acid by yeast produces the ethanol found in alcoholic beverages ( [link] ). If the carbon dioxide produced by the reaction is not vented from the fermentation chamber, for example in beer and sparkling wines, it remains dissolved in the medium until the pressure is released. Ethanol above 12 percent is toxic to yeast, so natural levels of alcohol in wine occur at a maximum of 12 percent.

This photo shows large, silver-colored, cylindrical fermentation tanks.
Fermentation of grape juice to make wine produces CO 2 as a byproduct. Fermentation tanks have valves so that pressure inside the tanks can be released.

Anaerobic cellular respiration

Certain prokaryotes, including some species of bacteria and Archaea, use anaerobic respiration. For example, the group of Archaea called methanogens reduces carbon dioxide to methane to oxidize NADH. These microorganisms are found in soil and in the digestive tracts of ruminants, such as cows and sheep. Similarly, sulfate-reducing bacteria and Archaea, most of which are anaerobic ( [link] ), reduce sulfate to hydrogen sulfide to regenerate NAD + from NADH.

This photo shows a bloom of green bacteria in water.
The green color seen in these coastal waters is from an eruption of hydrogen sulfide. Anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacteria release hydrogen sulfide gas as they decompose algae in the water. (credit: NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC)

Concept in action

Visit this site to see anaerobic cellular respiration in action.

Other fermentation methods occur in bacteria. Many prokaryotes are facultatively anaerobic. This means that they can switch between aerobic respiration and fermentation, depending on the availability of oxygen. Certain prokaryotes, like Clostridia bacteria, are obligate anaerobes. Obligate anaerobes live and grow in the absence of molecular oxygen. Oxygen is a poison to these microorganisms and kills them upon exposure. It should be noted that all forms of fermentation, except lactic acid fermentation, produce gas. The production of particular types of gas is used as an indicator of the fermentation of specific carbohydrates, which plays a role in the laboratory identification of the bacteria. The various methods of fermentation are used by different organisms to ensure an adequate supply of NAD + for the sixth step in glycolysis. Without these pathways, that step would not occur, and no ATP would be harvested from the breakdown of glucose.

Section summary

If NADH cannot be metabolized through aerobic respiration, another electron acceptor is used. Most organisms will use some form of fermentation to accomplish the regeneration of NAD + , ensuring the continuation of glycolysis. The regeneration of NAD + in fermentation is not accompanied by ATP production; therefore, the potential for NADH to produce ATP using an electron transport chain is not utilized.

Art connections

[link] Tremetol, a metabolic poison found in white snake root plant, prevents the metabolism of lactate. When cows eat this plant, Tremetol is concentrated in the milk. Humans who consume the milk become ill. Symptoms of this disease, which include vomiting, abdominal pain, and tremors, become worse after exercise. Why do you think this is the case?

[link] The illness is caused by lactic acid build-up. Lactic acid levels rise after exercise, making the symptoms worse. Milk sickness is rare today, but was common in the Midwestern United States in the early 1800s.

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Questions & Answers

what Is taxonom
Don Reply
Taxonom is the the laws and principles guiding the classification of living things either plant 🌿 or animal
Samuel
protein synthesis began with what?
Kesselly Reply
What structures does a plant cell have that an animal cell does not hav
Martin Reply
A plant cell has a cell wall, a large central vacuole, and chloroplasts, which an animal cell does not have.
AI-Robot
what is the function of the cytoskeleton?
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The fluid nature of the cell membrane allows for flexibility and dynamic changes in its structure. This allows for the movement of molecules and ions in and out of the cell, as well as the ability to respond to external stimuli. The fluidity of the membrane also allows for the formation of specialized structures such as receptor proteins, which are important for cell-cell communication.
AI-Robot
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Parts of the body involved in homeostasis
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liver
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tissue
Van
which structure consists of a phospholipid bilayers and it is known as the mosaic model?
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cell membrane
Abanoub
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a passive process of transport
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Random movement of gas molecule from region of high concentration to a low concentration.
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10 difference between male and female reproductive system
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Gift Reply
is nature of their environment among
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Precious
why are the laws of thermodynamics considered laws of nature and not scientific theories
Yolonda Reply
archea were given their own separate domain because they are?
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which of the following is a basic component of all of the others?
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which of the following organization levels is the least inclusive
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which cell feature is absent in bacterial cells
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which metric movies the base unit of measurement by one thousandth (0.001)?
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What is biology?
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List the branches of biology
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Ecology,Anatomy,genetics,biophysics,biochemistry,microbiology and biotechnology.
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Source:  OpenStax, Concepts of biology. OpenStax CNX. Feb 29, 2016 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11487/1.9
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