Question Video: Identifying the Word Equation for Anaerobic Respiration in Animal Cells Biology

Video Transcript

Which of the following is the correct word equation for anaerobic respiration in animal cells? (A) Glucose plus oxygen produces carbon dioxide plus water. (B) Glucose plus oxygen produces lactic acid. (C) Glucose produces lactic acid. (D) Lactic acid produces glucose. (E) Glucose produces carbon dioxide.

In cellular respiration, cells convert the energy in glucose into ATP. Cellular respiration can occur in either the presence or absence of oxygen. In humans, the preferred method of cellular respiration is aerobic because it produces more ATP. However, if sufficient oxygen is not available to match the demands of the cell, anaerobic respiration will occur.

Since anaerobic respiration is performed in the absence of oxygen, we can eliminate any reactions with oxygen as a reactant, which includes answer choices (A) and (B). In addition, we also know that glucose must also be a reactant of anaerobic respiration. So we can eliminate answer choice (D) as well. In answer choice (E), only carbon dioxide is produced. Since glucose contains carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, we know that this must be incorrect.

In anaerobic respiration, glucose is converted into lactic acid and ATP. Therefore, answer choice (C) is correct. Glucose produces lactic acid.