Science & Nature · 2
What is the process called when glucose is broken down without oxygen?
Answer
Fermentation
Fermentation is an anaerobic metabolic process where glucose is partially broken down to generate ATP energy without requiring oxygen. During fermentation, pyruvate is converted to either lactate (lactic acid fermentation) or ethanol and CO2 (alcohol fermentation) to regenerate NAD+, allowing glycolysis to continue. While fermentation produces far less ATP than aerobic respiration, it enables cells to survive in oxygen-poor environments and is essential for many organisms and industries. Fermentation has been used by humans for thousands of years to preserve food and produce beverages.
💡 Did you know?
Fermentation produces yogurt, cheese, beer, wine, and bread—and gives sourdough bread its characteristic sour taste.
Other options people guess
- Aerobic respiration
- Anaerobic respiration
- Photosynthesis
Topics
- biology
- metabolism
- biochemistry
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