How does anaerobic respiration in yeast actually work?

Anaerobic respiration happens when there isn't enough Oxygen available for Oxidative Phosphorylation to occur. Without Oxidative Phosphorylation, ATP synthesis occuring across the inner mitochondrial membrane stops, as does ATP synthesis in the Krebs cycle. Therefore, in order to meet it;s energy demands, the yeast uses anaerobic respiration to keep Glycolysis going, yielding 4 ATP molecules (Net: 2) per Glucose molecule converted to Pyruvate.

It works by allowing by allowing NADH to dump it's hydrogen, allowing it to reform NAD, which is again used to oxidise glucose to pyruvate, yielding ATP. I think this is best illustrated diagramatically.

RV
Answered by Raqib V. Biology tutor

7794 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How are Xerophytes adapted to dry environments?


Give two features of DNA and explain how each one is important in the semi-conservative replication of DNA.


What is the use of membranes within the cell?


How are electron microscopes (TEM) fundamentally different from light microscopes and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning