Anaerobic respiration

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/anaerobic-respiration

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the evolutionary origin?Likely one of the earliest forms of cellular respiration, predating aerobic respiration
2. What is the key electron acceptors?Nitrate, fumarate, sulfate, ferric iron, elemental sulfur, among others
3. How does anaerobic respiration make energy without oxygen?They use an electron transport chain, where electrons move through proteins and create a proton gradient that makes ATP. The chain ends with an inorganic molecule like nitrate or sulfate instead of oxygen.
4. What are some of the electron acceptors used in anaerobic respiration?Common ones are nitrate, nitrite, ferric iron, sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, fumarate, and elemental sulfur.

Electron Transport Chain: A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons, releasing energy used to create a proton gradient.
Reduction Potential: A measure of a substance's tendency to gain electrons; higher potential means stronger electron acceptor.
Anoxic Environments: Environments that lack molecular oxygen, such as deep sediments or waterlogged soils.