CHAPTER 11 – RESPIRATION AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS Anaerobic respiration
Some organisms can respire without oxygen. This is called anaerobic respiration.
Anaerobic respiration can also happen in humans if our cells do not get enough oxygen during prolonged exercise. The muscle cells produce lactic acid, which leads to cramping.
? TEST TUBE
3. What will happen to the chemical energy in glucose if a person consumes more energy than they need?
4. Research the role of anaerobic respiration in making bread.
Factors that affect respiration
Each step in aerobic respiration is controlled by enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in cells without being used up.
In addition to the availability of glucose and oxygen, respiration is affected by factors that control enzymes:
• Temperature: enzymes are very sensitive to changes in their environment. If temperatures become extreme, the enzyme may change shape and stop working. For example, the enzymes in our bodies work best at 37 °C.