Question

When and where does anaerobic respiration take place than aerobic respiration? 

Answer 1

Hint: Aerobic means ‘with oxygen’. Anaerobic means ‘without oxygen’. The respiration occurring in absence of oxygen is anaerobic and occurring in presence of oxygen is aerobic respiration.

Complete Answer:

- Aerobic respiration is the respiration that occurs in the cell in presence of a sufficient amount of oxygen. Anaerobic respiration refers to respiration carried out in the cell in the absence of oxygen. 

- Anaerobic respiration takes place when there is a lack of oxygen in the cell.

- When a person starts doing some exercise like jogging, bicycling, push-ups, weightlifting, etc the muscles start utilizing energy. During the first few minutes, the muscles burn glycogen stored in them in order to have quick energy. 

- During this period, fat is not burnt. Only glycogen is burnt and it is burnt anaerobically that is without using oxygen. This is called anaerobic metabolism. 

- Lactic acid is produced during this type of respiration. The presence of lactic acid causes some sort of burning sensation in the muscles particularly the muscles of arms, legs, and back. Production of lactic acid also causes muscle cramps.

Note: Muscles burn all the muscle glycogen within 3 to 5 minutes. If the person continues the exercise. The glycogen stored in the liver is converted into glucose, which is transported to muscles through blood. Now the body moves into aerobic metabolism. The glucose obtained from the liver is burnt in the presence of oxygen. No more lactic acid is produced.