Question

Which cell type and anaerobic process are correctly paired with each other?

a. plant cell: glycolysis + lactic acid fermentation
b. muscle cell: glycolysis + lactic acid fermentation
c. fungal cell: glycolysis only
d. bacterial cell: glycolysis only

Answer 1

Muscle cells are correctly paired with glycolysis and lactic acid fermentation as the anaerobic process they can perform. Fungal and bacterial cells don't typically undergo lactic acid fermentation; instead, they are known for alcoholic fermentation or other anaerobic processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell type and anaerobic process that are correctly paired with each other is muscle cell: glycolysis + lactic acid fermentation. Glycolysis is the initial stage of both aerobic respiration and anaerobic processes like fermentation, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, yielding energy in the form of ATP. In the absence of oxygen, as in anaerobic conditions, muscle cells can undergo lactic acid fermentation where pyruvate is reduced to lactic acid, allowing glycolysis to continue by recycling NADH back into NAD+. Conversely, fungal and bacterial cells principally perform alcoholic fermentation or may engage in other types of anaerobic respiration but not typically lactic acid fermentation.

Answer 2

The correct pairing of cell type and anaerobic process is 'muscle cell: glycolysis + lactic acid fermentation.' Fermentation is anaerobic and starts with glycolysis; in muscle cells, it leads to lactic acid fermentation, whereas in plant cells, it can lead to alcoholic fermentation. Other types of cells utilize different fermentation methods or anaerobic respiration depending on oxygen availability.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct pairing of cell type and anaerobic process is option b. muscle cell: glycolysis + lactic acid fermentation.

Fermentation is an anaerobic process, meaning it does not require oxygen. Both aerobic respiration and fermentation begin with glycolysis, which is the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate, releasing energy in the form of ATP. The reactant shared by aerobic respiration and both types of fermentation is glucose.

In muscle cells, when there is a lack of oxygen, lactic acid fermentation occurs after glycolysis, converting pyruvate into lactic acid and regenerating NAD+ essential for glycolysis to continue. Other cell types, like yeast cells, carry out alcoholic fermentation, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide. While plant cells are capable of undergoing glycolysis, they typically do not carry out lactic acid fermentation; instead, they carry out alcoholic fermentation under anaerobic conditions, or they continue the process of aerobic respiration when oxygen is available.

Fungal cells and some bacterial cells might undergo glycolysis followed by different forms of fermentation, depending on the species. Some bacteria are capable of performing anaerobic respiration or fermentation, depending on whether oxygen is present or not. The human body, specifically the human muscle cells, typically utilizes aerobic cellular respiration for energy but will resort to lactic acid fermentation under anaerobic conditions, such as during intense exercise.