Fermentation
- When the cell can't get enough oxygen (making it anaerobic) to start the Krebs Cycle, it instead goes into the fermentation process.
- In the human muscle cells, it is called Lactic Acid Fermentation because it produces lactic acid as a by-product (which is what makes your muscles burn after exercise).
- When fermentation occurs in alcohol, it is known as Alcoholic Fermentation, and its by-product is ethanol.
- Fermentation is used as a last resort by the cells since it only creates 2 ATP, instead of the 38 ATP that aerobic respiration makes.