Final answer:
Sprinting is most likely to cause anaerobic respiration in muscles due to its high-intensity, short-duration activity that demands energy production without sufficient oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of exercise most likely to cause human muscle cells to perform anaerobic respiration is d) Sprinting. During sprinting, muscles are used at close to maximum strength over short periods, causing an increased demand for energy. Since the high intensity of the activity doesn't allow enough time for oxygen to be delivered to muscles, cells switch to anaerobic metabolism. This involves glycolysis, where glucose is converted to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) without using oxygen, forming lactic acid as a byproduct. Unlike aerobic metabolism that occurs during longer, less intense activities such as marathon running and relies on a steady oxygen supply, anaerobic exercise like sprinting results in the creation of energy through pathways that do not require oxygen.