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.
The metabolic pathway for respiration is sequential as Glycolysis Kreb’s Cycle Electron transport system. Each of them occurs one after the other in sequential order.
(i) The NADH which is synthesized during the glycolysis process is taken from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria of the cell, where oxidation occurs along with electron transport.
(ii) The intermediate which is formed by the various biochemical respiration pathways is not used as raw material for any other respiration pathway.
(iii) Glucose is the sole respiratory substrate, and no other substrate can enter the glycolytic pathway at any particular step of the process.
Fermentation is the partial breakdown of glucose molecule whereas aerobic respiration is the complete oxidation of the glucose molecule.
In fermentation, the end product will be organic compounds whereas in aerobic respiration the end product will be carbon dioxide and water