question_answer 24)

What are the different ways in which glucose is oxidized to provide energy in various organisms?

Answer:

The utilization of glucose for the production of energy depends upon the availability of oxygen. In presence of oxygen, glucose is broken down aerobically in mitochondria, whereas in the absence of oxygen, glucose is broken down anaerobically in cytoplasm to produce comparatively lesser amount of energy. Aerobic Respiration It is a complete oxidation of food in the presence of oxygen to form CO2, H2O and large amount of energy is released.     Anaerobic respiration It involves incomplete oxidation of food in the absence of oxygen. For example, skeletal muscles under hard work or vigorous exercise, respire in the absence of oxygen for some time to get extra energy. During this process, CO2, ethyl alcohol, lactic acid and energy is produced by the partial breakdown of glucose.