Question

What is the fate of pyruvate in the abscence of oxygen in plants?

Answer 1

In the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions) pyruvate undergoes fermentation either lactic acid fermentation or alcohol fermentation. In this fermentation reaction NO ATP molecules is generated, however reduced NAD+ is generated from fermentation. The NAD+ regenerated is used in the glycolysis process to make ATP.

Answer 2

Respiration is how cells convert food into energy. During the first stage of this process, glucose molecules break down into molecules of a carbon-based substance called pyruvate. If oxygen is not present, the respiration cycle does not continue past the glycolysis stage. This type of respiration--without oxygen--is known as anaerobic respiration.