Anaerobic Respiration

Definition

Anaerobic respiration is a type of respiration that does not use oxygen. It's a way for an organism to produce energy when oxygen levels are low.

Related terms

Fermentation:

This is the process used by cells to produce energy under anaerobic conditions. It’s like making homemade bread without using an oven.

Lactic Acid:

A product of anaerobic respiration in many types of cells, including human muscle cells. It’s similar to the smoke produced when burning wood – a byproduct of the process.

Glycolysis:

As mentioned earlier, this is the first step in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration where glucose is broken down into pyruvate.