Why does anaerobic respiration have a lower ATP yield than aerobic respiration? (4 marks)

During anaerobic respiration only glycolysis can occur as oxygen is not present to act as the final electron acceptor in oxidative phosphorylation, therefore only substrate level phosphorylation can occur. In order for glycolysis to continue, in animal cells, pyruvate is is reduced so NADH becomes NAD allowing glycolysis to continue which provides 2 ATP and keeps the cell alive until areobic respiration resumes.

AD

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is an immobilised enzyme and what are the advantages of their use?


Describe the lac operon, and it's transcriptional control when the concentration of glucose is low, and the concentration of lactose is high.


What is allopatric speciation?


How can diet increase risk of cardiovascular disease?