BTEC Applied Science Unit 13 Biochemistry and Biochemical Techniques Assignment 4

Identify the main differences between anaerobic and aerobic glucose
degradation (P6)
Anaerobic Aerobic
Reactants Glucose and hydrogen carrier NAD Glucose and oxygen
Breakdown of organic Incomplete Complete
food
Energy yield Low (2 ATP) High (38 ATP)
Location Cytoplasm Cytoplasm and
mitochondria
Stages Glycolysis and fermentation (2 Glycolysis, link reaction,
stages) krebs cycle and the electron
transport chain (4 stages)
Speed Very fast Takes longer due to the
amount of reactions
necessary
End (waste) products Carbon dioxide and ethanol in Carbon dioxide and water
plants, lactate in animals
Cells that use it (In All capable however in mammals All
mammals) primarily occurs in muscle cells to
allow strenuous exercise to be
maintained
Effect on the body Lactate is a toxin and must be No effect
removed from cells. It causes
muscle pain. It also produces
oxygen debt which is the amount of
oxygen required to breakdown or
oxidise the amount of lactate
present, which is provided by a
rapid heart rate and breath rate after
exercise has finished.
Equation C6H12O6 => C3H6O6 (lactate) in C6H12O6 + 6O2 => 6H2O
animals + 6CO2 + 38 ATP
C6H12O6 => C2H6O4 (ethanol) +
CO2 in plants