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Definition: Anaerobic respiration from The Encyclopedia of Seeds: Science, Technology and Uses

Respiration which occurs under conditions of low (hypoxia) or no (anoxia) oxygen. This results in fermentative metabolism whereby the pyruvic acid produced as a result of glycolysis is generally converted to alcohol (ethanol).

anaerobic respiration

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
In plant and animal cells, a process in which energy is released from food molecules such as glucose without requiring oxygen. Some aerobic plants and animals are able to use anaerobic respiration for short periods of time. For example, during a sprint, human muscles can respire anaerobically. Unfortunately, lactic acid is produced and accumulates until the muscles cannot continue working. Anaerobic respiration in humans is less efficient than aerobic respiration at releasing energy, but releases energy faster (see respiration ). This explains why humans can run faster in a sprint than over longer distances. When humans stop after a sprint, they have to continue breathing more heavily for a while. This is to take in ‘extra’ oxygen in order to break down the accumulated lactic acid on top of the ‘normal’ breakdown of sugar in aerobic respiration. The body is paying back the oxygen debt built up during the sprint. Use of anaerobic respiration in industry In plants, yeasts, and bacteria, …
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Background Aerobic respiration is the normal reaction that provides energy for all biological activities. However, under certain circumstances the process becomes modified. Full answer Anaerobic respiration takes place when there is not sufficient oxygen to support aerobic respiration. In humans, …
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Full text Article anaerobic respiration

From The Penguin Dictionary of Science
The breakdown of food materials such as glucose to yield energy in the form of ➤ ATP in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic respiration in ➤ yeasts produces ethanol as a waste product, and this is the basis of all alcoholic drink manufacture. Anaerobic respiration can also occur in animal cells when…
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Full text Article anaerobic respiration

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
In plant and animal cells, a process in which energy is released from food molecules such as glucose without requiring oxygen. Some aerobic plants and animals are able to use anaerobic respiration for short periods of time. For example, during a sprint, human muscles can respire anaerobically. …
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Full text Article anaerobic respiration

From Dictionary of Microbiology & Molecular Biology
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Full text Article respiration

From Penguin Dictionary of Biology
( Internal, tissue or cellular respiration.) Enzymatic release of energy from organic compounds (esp. carbohydrates and fats) which either requires oxygen ( aerobic respiration ) or does not ( anaerobic respiration ). Anaerobic respiration is sometimes used as a synonym of FERMENTATION , but…
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Full answer What is respiration? Respiration is a chemical process by which living things release energy from food ( glucose ). The energy is used for growth, movement, reproduction, and active transport. Respiration takes place in all living cells . There are two main respiration processes – …
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Full text Article cellular respiration

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Metabolic process that occurs inside cells in which glucose is converted into the energy that a living organism requires to function. This energy is used for many different processes,ranging from simple heat generation to physical muscle contractions and the biochemical manufacture of proteins. …
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Full text Article respiration

From Philip's Encyclopedia
Series of chemical reactions by which complex molecules are broken down to release energy in living organisms. Enzymes control these reactions, which are an essential part of metabolism . There are two main types of respiration: aerobic and anaerobic . In aerobic respiration, oxygen provided by…
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Full text Article anaerobic

From Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary
a living, active, or occurring in the absence of free oxygen <during heavy exercise anaerobic respiration occurs, pyruvic acid acts as a hydrogen acceptor, and lactic acid builds up in the tissues> < anaerobic bacteria> b (1) of, relating to, or being activity in which the body incurs an…
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Full text Article respiration

From Dictionary of Microbiology & Molecular Biology
Energy-yielding metabolism in which the oxidation of an energy substrate involves an exogenous electron acceptor (i.e., an externally derived oxidizing agent); the participation of an exogenous electron acceptor results in the net oxidation of the energy substrate, and makes possible an energy yield…
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