Chapter 19, Problem 1RE

RECALL Which pathways are involved in the anaerobic metabolism of glucose? Which pathways are involved in the aerobic metabolism of glucose?

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The pathways involved in the anaerobic and aerobic metabolism of glucose are to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Glucose is a carbohydrate with chemical formula ${\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_{12}{\text{O}}_6$ and carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones, or their derivatives. They function as short-term energy storage.

Anaerobic metabolism involves the combustion of sugar in the absence of oxygen while aerobic metabolism involves the combustion of sugar in the presence of oxygen.

Aerobic metabolism is more efficient as compared to anaerobic metabolism.

Answer to Problem 1RE

Solution:

The pathway for aerobic metabolism of glucose includes aerobic glycolysis and citric acid cycle while the pathway for anaerobic metabolism of glucose involves anaerobic glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway.

Explanation of Solution

The principal pathways for anaerobic metabolism of glucose are anaerobic glycosis and pentose phosphate pathway. Anaerobic glycosis involves the conversion of glucose molecule into lactate in the absence of oxygen.

The principal pathways for aerobic metabolism of glucose are aerobic glycosis and citric acid cycle. Aerobic glycosis involves the breakdown of glucose molecule in the presence of oxygen. The citric acid cycle involves a series of reactions that uses aerobic organisms to release stored energy by the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Therefore, the anaerobic metabolism of glucose involves anaerobic glycolysis while the aerobic metabolism involves aerobic glycolysis.

Conclusion

The different pathways of anaerobic and aerobic metabolism of glucose are explained.