explain the three pathways of breakdown in living organisms
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Answer:
Different ways in which glucose breaks down
The following are the various ways in which glucose is broken down.
Aerobic Respiration
In aerobic respiration, breakdown of pyruvate takes place in the presence of oxygen to give rise to 3 molecules of carbon dioxide and water. The release of energy in aerobic respiration is much more than anaerobic respiration.
Anaerobic Respiration
The anaerobic respiration process takes place in the absence of oxygen. For example: In yeast during fermentation. In this process, the pyruvate is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
Lack of Oxygen
At times when there is a lack of oxygen in our body, mainly during vigorous activity, in our muscles, pyruvate is converted into lactic acid which is a 3 carbon molecule compound. The formation of lactic acid in muscles causes cramp.