Question

Oxygen is necessary for complete oxidation of glucose give me the scientific reasons

Answer 1

Aerobic oxidation is the process by which the metabolism of sugars and fatty acids take place in the presence of oxygen to produce energy giving ATP. Looking at the reaction of oxidation of glucose (image attached) we see that glucose is oxidised in the presence of oxygen.

Answer 2

Answer:

• Oxygen is necessary for 'complete oxidation of glucose' because pyruvic acid formed from glycolysis requires oxygen for oxidation process through aerobic respiration.
• In the "absence of oxygen", pyruvic acid will be converted into "lactic acid" through anaerobic respiration.
• Aerobic respiration yields 36 ATP molecules whereas "anaerobic respiration" yields only 2 ATP or energy molecules.
• Furthermore, the lactic acid formed will diffuse out of the cells, absorbed in the liver or might remain in the muscle fibres leading to muscle fatigue and weakness.
• During oxidation, the carbon atoms in glucose oxidize or lose electrons and reach the higher oxidation state; whereas the oxygen atoms reduce, add electrons and reach lower oxidation state.