214k views
2 votes
What is the type of metabolism when phosphorylation occurs without oxygen?

User Trask
by
8.3k points

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The metabolism type where phosphorylation happens without oxygen is fermentation. It includes glycolysis followed by either lactic acid or alcoholic fermentation, allowing for ATP and NAD+ regeneration without the need for oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Type of Metabolism During Phosphorylation Without Oxygen

The type of metabolism that occurs when phosphorylation takes place without oxygen is called fermentation. This process involves glycolysis, where glucose is broken down to produce ATP in the absence of oxygen.

Fermentation is crucial for the regeneration of NAD+, allowing glycolysis to continue and produce energy for the cell.

Fermentation occurs in different forms, such as lactic acid fermentation and alcoholic fermentation. In lactic acid fermentation, pyruvate is reduced to form lactate as an end product.

This type of fermentation is common in human muscle cells during intense exercise when oxygen supply is limited. Alcoholic fermentation, on the other hand, converts pyruvate into ethyl alcohol and is utilized by yeasts and certain bacteria.

Unlike oxidative phosphorylation, which requires oxygen and occurs in mitochondria or the plasma membrane of prokaryotic cells, fermentation does not result in the production of a high number of ATP molecules.

However, it ensures that cells have a continual supply of ATP and NAD+ for energy production when oxygen levels are low.

User Ollifant
by
8.4k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.