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BioenergeticsHigheranaerobic respirationlactic acidoxygen debt

AQA GCSE · Question 04.1 · Bioenergetics

This question is about exercise. During vigorous exercise, anaerobic respiration occurs in a person's body. Explain two effects of anaerobic respiration on the person's body.

How to approach this question

Think about the chemical process of anaerobic respiration in muscles. 1. What is the product of this reaction (apart from a small amount of energy)? What effect does this product have on the muscles? 2. What is the consequence of this product building up? What does the body need to do after exercise to get rid of it? What are the observable effects of this?

Full Answer

1. Lactic acid is produced and builds up in the muscles. This causes muscle fatigue and pain (cramp). 2. An oxygen debt is created. This is the extra oxygen needed after exercise to break down the accumulated lactic acid. This results in the person breathing deeply and having an elevated heart rate after exercise has stopped.
During vigorous exercise, the cardiovascular system cannot supply oxygen to the muscles fast enough for aerobic respiration to meet the energy demand. Therefore, the muscle cells also respire anaerobically. 1. **Lactic Acid Build-up:** Anaerobic respiration in animals breaks down glucose into lactic acid (glucose → lactic acid). This lactic acid accumulates in the muscle tissue. The build-up of lactic acid lowers the pH in the muscle cells, which inhibits enzyme activity and leads to muscle fatigue, pain, and cramp. This is why you feel a "burn" and your muscles get tired during intense exercise. 2. **Oxygen Debt:** Lactic acid is toxic and must be removed. After exercise stops, the person continues to breathe heavily. The extra oxygen taken in is used to break down the accumulated lactic acid (by oxidising it back to carbon dioxide and water, or converting it to glucose in the liver). This requirement for extra oxygen after exercise is known as an oxygen debt.

Common mistakes

✗ Confusing anaerobic respiration in muscles with anaerobic respiration in yeast (which produces ethanol and carbon dioxide). ✗ Simply stating "you get tired" without mentioning lactic acid. ✗ Confusing oxygen debt with being "out of breath" during exercise. Oxygen debt is the state *after* exercise.

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