Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

8. Respiration

Fermentation & Anaerobic Respiration

General Biology

8. Respiration

Fermentation & Anaerobic Respiration

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5:30 minutes

Problem 6

Textbook Question

Which of the following is a distinction between cellular respiration and fermentation?
a. The transfer of from intermediate substrates to ADP
b. The movement of H+ across a membrane down its concentration gradient
c. The splitting of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate
d. Electrons moving through the electron transport chain

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the key processes involved in cellular respiration and fermentation. Cellular respiration is an aerobic process (requires oxygen) that includes glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. Fermentation, on the other hand, is an anaerobic process (does not require oxygen) and primarily involves glycolysis followed by the regeneration of NAD+ to allow glycolysis to continue.

Step 2: Analyze each option to determine if it applies to both cellular respiration and fermentation or only one of them. For example, consider whether the transfer of phosphate groups, movement of protons, splitting of glucose, or electron transport chain is unique to one process.

Step 3: Evaluate option (a): The transfer of phosphate groups from intermediate substrates to ADP (substrate-level phosphorylation) occurs in both cellular respiration and fermentation during glycolysis, so this is not a distinction.

Step 4: Evaluate option (b): The movement of H+ across a membrane down its concentration gradient is a feature of the electron transport chain in cellular respiration, but it does not occur in fermentation. This could be a distinction.

Step 5: Evaluate option (c) and (d): The splitting of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate (glycolysis) occurs in both processes, so it is not a distinction. Electrons moving through the electron transport chain is specific to cellular respiration and does not occur in fermentation, making it another possible distinction. Compare this with option (b) to determine the best answer.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that converts glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water. It occurs in three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. This process is highly efficient and involves the electron transport chain, where electrons are transferred through a series of proteins, ultimately producing ATP through chemiosmosis.

Fermentation

Fermentation is an anaerobic process that allows cells to generate energy without oxygen. It occurs after glycolysis when oxygen is not available, resulting in the conversion of pyruvate into lactic acid or ethanol and carbon dioxide. Fermentation produces less ATP compared to cellular respiration and does not involve the electron transport chain, making it a less efficient energy-producing pathway.

Electron Transport Chain

The electron transport chain (ETC) is a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that facilitate the transfer of electrons derived from NADH and FADH2. As electrons move through the chain, they release energy used to pump protons (H+) across the membrane, creating a proton gradient. This gradient drives ATP synthesis via ATP synthase, a key feature of aerobic cellular respiration, distinguishing it from fermentation.