Mammals

Cards (6)

In anaerobic respiration in mammals, the pyruvate produced in glycolysis is reduced by the hydrogen ions from NADH2 to form lactate, which can cause muscle cramp and fatigue
In mammals, anaerobic respiration is most likely to take place in the skeletal muscles as a result of strenuous exercise
During strenuous exercise, muscles will respire aerobically as well as anaerobically. The additional anaerobic respiration provides extra energy which could be crucial in order to escape a predator or win a race
before anaerobic respiration occurs mammals will:
maximise ATP production from aerobic respiration
experience increased breathing and heart rate to ensure sufficient glucose and oxygen reaches the muscles
operation of the bohr shift will maximise as oxygen is released from haemoglobin
After anaerobic respiration, lactate must be removed when sufficient oxygen is available. The lactate can either:
be converted back into glucose or
metabolised in other ways that require oxygen
Therefore, the body needs extra oxygen after anaerobic respiration to metabolise the lactate, this extra oxygen is known as the oxygen debt
This extra oxygen is also used to synthesise depleted ATP