Anaerobic respiration

Anaerobic respiration occurs when oxygen is not available or in short supply. It is a process used by cells to make energy in the absence of oxygen. Examples of anaerobic respiration include fermentation and glycolysis.

Anaerobic respiration can occur during intense exercise. When muscles need energy quickly, but there is not enough oxygen available, anaerobic respiration takes over. Lactic acid is produced, which can cause fatigue and muscle soreness.

Cancer cells can use anaerobic respiration to generate energy. This is known as the Warburg effect and occurs when cancer cells switch to anaerobic respiration to generate energy instead of aerobic respiration. This process allows cancer cells to produce energy more quickly and efficiently than normal cells.

The byproducts of anaerobic respiration vary depending on the type of respiration that is occurring. In glycolysis, the byproducts are pyruvate, lactic acid, and small amounts of ATP. In fermentation, the byproducts can include ethanol and carbon dioxide. In the Krebs cycle, the byproducts are water, carbon dioxide, and ATP.

Warburg effect in cancer cells

The diagram illustrates the distinct aspects of the Warburg effect in cancer cells, containing glycolysis, pentose pyruvate pathway, lactate fermentation, glutamine metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, Tri-Carboxylic Acid (TCA) cycle, intermediates from the TCA cycle to synthesize lipids, and use of mutations in the TCA cycle (highlighted red) to synthesize oncometabolites. Important metabolic pathways are highlighted in yellow and important enzyme-regulating steps in glycolysis are highlighted in purple. Red lines with blunt ends indicate an inhibitory mode of action.{ref}