Anaerobic Respiration

ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION

Learning Objectives for this Section

Some prokaryotes are able to carry out anaerobic respiration (def), respiration in which an inorganic molecule other than oxygen (O₂) is the final electron acceptor. For example, some bacteria called sulfate reducers can transfer electrons to sulfate (SO₄^2-) reducing it to H₂S. Other bacteria, called nitrate reducers, can transfer electrons to nitrate (NO₃^-) reducing it to nitrite (NO₂^-). Other nitrate reducers can reduce nitrate even further to nitrous oxide (NO) or nitrogen gas (N₂).

Like aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration involves glycolysis, a transition reaction, the citric acid cycle, and an electron transport chain. The total energy yield per glucose oxidized is less than with aerobic respiration with a theoretical maximum yield of 36 ATP or less.

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