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AAT Bioquest

What kinds of organisms use anaerobic cellular respiration?

Posted February 8, 2024


Answer

Organisms that use anaerobic cellular respiration include fungi, yeast, most bacteria, archaea, and some other prokaryotes that live in low-oxygen environments. Some human cells also use anaerobic respiration. 

Anaerobic respiration is a metabolic process that takes place in the absence of oxygen. During this process, glucose is converted into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) without oxygen. To compensate for the lack of oxygen, these organisms often use alternate terminal electron acceptors instead. For example, methanogens, which are a type of archaea found in the digestive system of ruminants and in soil, use carbon dioxide as a terminal electron acceptor. Methane is produced as a byproduct in this process. 

Lactic acid or ethanol are the most common byproducts produced in anaerobic respiration. 

Additional resources

A metabolic and physiological design study of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 capable of anaerobic respiration

Cellular Processes

PhosphoWorks™ Fluorimetric ATP Assay Kit