Summarizing Metabolism without Oxygen

Summary

If NADH cannot be oxidized through aerobic respiration, another electron acceptor is used. Most organisms will use some form of fermentation to accomplish the regeneration of NAD⁺, ensuring the continuation of glycolysis.

The regeneration of NAD⁺ in fermentation is not accompanied by ATP production; therefore, the potential of NADH to produce ATP using an electron transport chain is not utilized.

Glossary

anaerobic cellular respiration

process in which organisms convert energy for their use in the absence of oxygen

fermentation

process of regenerating NAD⁺ with either an inorganic or organic compound serving as the final electron acceptor, occurs in the absence; occurs in the absence of oxygen