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Anaerobic Respiration

CONCEPTUAL
ScienceOrganisms & Life Processes|Ages 12—14|ID: mt_TKZefYXaVS

Explain anaerobic respiration in animals as the incomplete breakdown of glucose to lactic acid when oxygen is in short supply, causing muscle fatigue; contrast this with aerobic respiration in terms of energy yield and products

Mastery Evidence

  • Writes the word equation for anaerobic respiration in animals
  • Explains why lactic acid causes muscle pain and fatigue
  • Compares the energy released by aerobic and anaerobic respiration
  • Explains oxygen debt and recovery after vigorous exercise

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] sprinted as fast as they could and their legs started to burn and ache afterwards, could they explain what's happening inside their muscles — why there isn't enough oxygen, and what the body produces instead?”

Curriculum Standards1 alignment

KS3.Sci.Bio.GasExchange.6The national curriculum in England
Aerobic and anaerobic respiration

aerobic and anaerobic respiration in living organisms, including the breakdown of organic molecules to enable all the other chemical processes necessary for life

Science · KS3

Prerequisites1

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  • Aerobic Respiration hard

    Anaerobic respiration is defined in contrast to aerobic — it is the fallback when oxygen supply is insufficient

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