Fermentation occurs in the absence of oxygen.

Fermentation occurs in the absence of oxygen.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in plants
• D. Only in animals

Answer: (A)

Fermentation is an anaerobic metabolic pathway, meaning it happens without oxygen. When oxygen isn’t available, cells can’t rely on aerobic respiration to regenerate NAD+ quickly enough, so fermentation provides a way to recycle NAD+ from NADH. This allows glycolysis to continue and produce a small amount of ATP. Common forms include lactic acid fermentation in muscle cells and alcoholic fermentation in yeast. It isn’t limited to one kind of organism; many plants, animals, and microorganisms can perform fermentation under anaerobic conditions. In the presence of oxygen, cells typically use aerobic respiration for more ATP, so fermentation isn’t needed.

Fermentation is an anaerobic metabolic pathway, meaning it happens without oxygen. When oxygen isn’t available, cells can’t rely on aerobic respiration to regenerate NAD+ quickly enough, so fermentation provides a way to recycle NAD+ from NADH. This allows glycolysis to continue and produce a small amount of ATP. Common forms include lactic acid fermentation in muscle cells and alcoholic fermentation in yeast. It isn’t limited to one kind of organism; many plants, animals, and microorganisms can perform fermentation under anaerobic conditions. In the presence of oxygen, cells typically use aerobic respiration for more ATP, so fermentation isn’t needed.