Question

Name the two ways by which glucose is oxidized to provide energy in various organisms?

Answer 1

The two different ways in which glucose is oxidized to provide energy in various organisms are as follows:

First set of breakdown of glucose (six carbon molecules) takes place in the cytoplasm of cells of all organisms. This process yields a three carbon molecule compound called pyruvate. 

Further breakdown of pyruvrate takes place in different manners in different organisms.

(i)Anaerobic respiration which takes place in absence of oxygen, e.g., in yeast during fermentation. In this case, pyruvate is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide.

(ii) Aerobic respiration, in which breakdown of pyruvate takes place in presence of oxygen to give rise to three molecules of carbon dioxide and water.

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:First the glucose is broken down into a 3 Carbon molecule called Pyruvate in the cytoplasm of the cell in a process called Glycolysis.

The process can further proceed using three different pathways depending on the amount of oxygen present.

In the presence of sufficient Oxygen, Pyruvate molecules are broken down into Water and Carbon dioxide and Energy is released. This process is called aerobic respiration.

In the lack of oxygen, Pyruvate molecules are converted into lactic acid and energy is released. This takes place in our muscles especially while exercising. The lactic acid thus produced causes cramps in our muscles.

In the total absence of Oxygen Pyruvate molecules are broken down into Ethanol and Carbon dioxide and Energy is released. This process is called anaerobic respiration and takes place in yeast cells.