Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Anaerobic respiration is a type of cellular respiration that occurs without the presence of oxygen. It involves breaking down glucose into energy with different end products depending on whether it happens in animals or plants.
Related terms
Lactic acid fermentation: A type of anaerobic respiration that occurs in animal cells when glucose is converted into lactic acid, causing muscle fatigue.
Alcohol fermentation: A type of anaerobic respiration that occurs in yeast and some bacteria when glucose is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
Glycolysis: The first step in both aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration where glucose is broken down into pyruvate molecules.