4. Enumerate the assumptions that we undertake in making the respiratory balance sheet. Are these assumptions valid for a living system? Compare fermentation and aerobic respiration in this context.
4. Enumerate the assumptions that we undertake in making the respiratory balance sheet. Are these assumptions valid for a living system? Compare fermentation and aerobic respiration in this context.

Solution:

Glycolysis Kreb’s Cycle Electron transport mechanism is the metabolic pathway for respiration. Each one follows the next in a chronological order.

i) The NADH produced during glycolysis is transported from the cytoplasm to the cell’s mitochondria, where it undergoes oxidation and electron transport.

ii) The intermediates produced by the various biochemical respiration processes are not utilised as a source of raw material for any other respiration pathway.

iii) The only respiratory substrate is glucose, and no other substrate can enter the glycolytic route at any point during the process.

Fermentation is the partial breakdown of a glucose molecule, whereas aerobic respiration is the complete oxidation.

The final product of fermentation is organic molecules, whereas the end product of aerobic respiration is carbon dioxide and water.