Advance Montessori Education Center of Isabela, Inc.

Maligaya, Tumauini, Isabela

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S
General Biology 1
Learner’s Module 1, 2 &3 H
October. 11-29, 2021
Name: _____________________________________________ S
Grade and Section: ___________________________________ S.Y. 2021-2022

Learning Competencies

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

I. differentiates aerobic from anaerobic respiration (STEM_BIO11/12-IIa-j-6);

II. distinguishes the major features of glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, electron transport system,
and chemiosmosis (STEM_BIO11/12-IIa-j-8);
III. describe the role of oxygen in respiration and describe pathways of electron flow in the
absence of oxygen (STEM_BIO11/12-IIa-j-10); and
IV. explains the advantages and disadvantages of fermentation and aerobic respiration
(STEM_BIO11/12-IIa-j-12).

Overview
Most of the known organisms on earth, including humans, use aerobic cellular respiration. In
aerobic respiration, the final electron acceptor is an oxygen molecule, O2. If aerobic respiration
occurs, then ATP will be produced using the energy of the high-energy electrons carried by NADH or
FADH2 to the electron transport chain. If aerobic respiration does not occur, NADH must be
reoxidized to NAD+ for reuse as an electron carrier for glycolysis to continue. How is this done?
Some living systems use an organic molecule as the final electron acceptor. Processes that use an
organic molecule to regenerate NAD+ from NADH are collectively referred to as fermentation.
In contrast, some living systems use an inorganic molecule as a final electron acceptor; both
methods are a type of anaerobic cellular respiration. Anaerobic respiration enables organisms to
convert energy for their use in the absence of oxygen.

Learning Content

The Presence of Oxygen

There are two types of cellular respiration (see Cellular Respiration concept): aerobic and
anaerobic. One occurs in the presence of oxygen (aerobic), and one occurs in the absence of
oxygen (anaerobic). Although some cells may engage in just one type of respiration, most cells
use both types, depending on an organism's needs. Cellular respiration also occurs outside of
macro-organisms, as chemical processes — for example, in fermentation. In general, respiration
is used to eliminate waste products and generate energy. Both begin with glycolysis - the
splitting of glucose.
Glycolysis is an anaerobic process - it does not need oxygen to proceed. This process
produces a minimal amount of ATP. The Krebs cycle and electron transport do need oxygen to
proceed, and in the presence of oxygen, these processes produce much more ATP than glycolysis
alone.
Scientists think that glycolysis evolved before the other stages of cellular respiration. This
is because the other stages need oxygen, whereas glycolysis does not, and there was no oxygen

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in Earth’s atmosphere when life first evolved about 3.5 to 4 billion years ago. Cellular respiration
that proceeds without oxygen is called anaerobic respiration.
Then, about 2 or 3 billion years ago, oxygen was gradually added to the atmosphere by
early photosynthetic bacteria (cyanobacteria). After that, living things could use oxygen to break
down glucose and make ATP. Today, most organisms make ATP with oxygen. They follow
glycolysis with the Krebs cycle and electron transport to make more ATP than by glycolysis
alone. Cellular respiration that proceeds in the presence of oxygen is called aerobic respiration.

Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Respiration

As aerobes in a world of aerobic organisms, we tend to consider aerobic

respiration “better” than fermentation. In some ways, it is. However, anaerobic
respiration has persisted far longer on this planet, through major changes in atmosphere and
life. There must be value in this alternative way of making ATP.

A major argument in favor of aerobic over anaerobic

respiration is overall energy production. Without oxygen,
organisms can only break a 6-carbon glucose into two 3-
carbon pyruvate molecules. As we saw earlier, glycolysis
releases only enough energy to produce two (net) ATPs per
molecule of glucose. In anaerobic respiration, this is where
Figure 1. E. coli bacteria are anaerobic bacteria ATP production stops. There is a final total of only two
that live in the human digestive tract. ATPs produced per molecule of glucose. This anaerobic
process does occur very quickly though. For example, it
lets your muscles get the energy they need for short
bursts of intense activity.
Aerobic respiration, on the other hand, produces ATP more slowly. It does, however,
break glucose all the way down to CO2, producing up to 38 ATPs. Membrane transport (active
transport) costs can slightly reduce this theoretical yield, but aerobic respiration consistently
produces at least 15 times as much ATP as anaerobic respiration. This vast increase in energy
production probably explains why aerobic organisms have come to dominate life on earth. It may
also explain how organisms were able to increase in size, adding multicellularity and great
diversity.
However, anaerobic pathways do persist, and obligate anaerobes have survived over two
billion years beyond the evolution of aerobic respiration. So there must be advantages
to fermentation. What are these advantages?
One advantage is available to organisms occupying the few anoxic (lacking oxygen) niches
remaining on earth. Oxygen remains the highly reactive, toxic gas which caused the “Oxygen
Catastrophe.” Aerobic organisms have evolved a few necessary materials,
namely enzymes and antioxidants, to protect themselves. Organisms living in anoxic niches do
not run the risk of oxygen exposure, so they do not need to spend energy to build these elaborate
chemicals.
Individual cells which experience anoxic conditions face greater challenges. As
demonstrated by lactic acid fermentation, muscle cells “still remember” anaerobic respiration,
using this fermentation to make ATP in low-oxygen conditions, regenerating NAD+ during this
process. However, other cells, like brain cells do not “remember” anaerobic respiration, and
consequently cannot make any ATP without oxygen. This explains why death follows for most
humans who endure more than four minutes without oxygen.
Variation in muscle cells gives further insight into some benefits of anaerobic respiration.
In vertebrate muscles, lactic acid fermentation allows muscles to produce ATP quickly during
short bursts of strenuous activity. Muscle cells specialized for this type of activity show
differences in structure as well as chemistry. Red muscle fibers are “dark” because they have a
rich blood supply for a steady supply of oxygen, and a protein, myoglobin, which holds extra
oxygen. They also contain more mitochondria, the organelle in which the Krebs
cycle and electron transport chain conclude aerobic respiration. This is endurance muscle.

2|GEN BIO 1
White muscle cells are “light” because they lack the rich blood supply, have fewer mitochondria,
and store the carbohydrate glycogen rather than oxygen. This is muscle built for sprinting.
Each type of muscle fiber has advantages and disadvantages, which reflect their differing
biochemical pathways. Aerobic respiration in red muscles full of mitochondria, produces a great
deal of ATP from far less glucose - but slowly, over a long time. Anaerobic respiration in white
muscle cells full of carbohydrates, produces ATP rapidly for quick bursts of speed, but a
predator who continues pursuit may eventually catch a white-muscled prey.
Differences and Similarities of Aerobic Respiration and Anaerobic Respiration

Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration

Definition Aerobic respiration uses Anaerobic respiration is

oxygen. respiration without oxygen;
the process uses a respiratory
electron transport chain but
does not use oxygen as the
electron acceptors.
Cells that use it Aerobic respiration occurs in Anaerobic respiration occurs
most cells. mostly in prokaryotes
Amount of energy released High (36-38 ATP molecules) Lower (Between 36-2 ATP
molecules)
Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, Glycolysis, Krebs cycle,
Stages
Electron Transport Chain Electron Transport Chain
Carbon dixoide, reduced
Products Carbon dioxide, water, ATP
species, ATP
Site of reactions Cytoplasm and mitochondria Cytoplasm and mitochondria
glucose, electron acceptor (not
Reactants glucose, oxygen
oxygen)
combustion complete incomplete
Production of Ethanol or Does not produce ethanol or
Produce ethanol or lactic acid
Lactic Acid lactic acid

1. Processes
Aerobic processes in cellular respiration can only occur if oxygen is present. When a cell
needs to release energy, the cytoplasm (a substance between a cell's nucleus and its
membrane) and mitochondria (organelles in cytoplasm that help with metabolic processes)
initiate chemical exchanges that launch the breakdown of glucose. This sugar is carried
through the blood and stored in the body as a fast source of energy. The breakdown of
glucose into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a byproduct that
needs to be removed from the body. In plants, the energy-releasing process
of photosynthesis uses CO2 and releases oxygen as its byproduct.
Anaerobic processes do not use oxygen, so the pyruvate product — ATP is one kind of
pyruvate — remains in place to be broken down or catalyzed by other reactions, such as
what occurs in muscle tissue or in fermentation. Lactic acid, which builds up in muscles'
cells as aerobic processes fail to keep up with energy demands, is a byproduct of an
anaerobic process. Such anaerobic breakdowns provide additional energy, but lactic acid
build-up reduces a cell's capacity to further process waste; on a large scale in, say, a
human body, this leads to fatigue and muscle soreness. Cells recover by breathing in
more oxygen and through the circulation of blood; processes that help carry away lactic
acid.

2. Exercises
Aerobic respiration

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  19 times more effective at releasing energy than anaerobic respiration because aerobic
processes extract most of the glucose molecules' energy in the form of ATP.
 In humans, aerobic processes kick in to galvanize action.
 Aerobic exercises, such as running, cycling, and jumping rope, are excellent at
burning excess sugar in the body, but to burn fat.
 Aerobic exercises must be done for 20 minutes or more, forcing the body to use
anaerobic respiration.
Anaerobic respiration
 Leave most of the ATP-generating sources in the waste products.
 In human, it is used for extreme and sustained efforts.
 Short bursts of exercise, such as sprinting, rely on anaerobic processes for energy
because the aerobic pathways are slower. Other anaerobic exercises, such as
resistance training or weightlifting, are excellent for building muscle mass, a
process that requires breaking down fat molecules for storing energy in the larger and
more abundant cells found in muscle tissue.
Fermentation
When sugar molecules (primarily glucose, fructose, and sucrose) break down in
anaerobic respiration, the pyruvate they produce remains in the cell. Without oxygen, the
pyruvate is not fully catalyzed for energy release. Instead, the cell uses a slower process to
remove the hydrogen carriers, creating different waste products. This slower process is called
fermentation. When yeast is used for anaerobic breakdown of sugars, the waste products are
alcohol and CO2. The removal of CO2 leaves ethanol, the basis for alcoholic beverages and fuel.
Fruits, sugary plants (e.g., sugarcane), and grains are all used for fermentation, with yeast or
bacteria as the anaerobic processors. In baking, the CO2 release from fermentation is what
causes breads and other baked products to rise.

Krebs cycle
 It is also known as the citric acid cycle and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle.
 It is the key energy-producing process in most multicellular organisms. The most
common form of this cycle uses glucose as its energy source.
During a process known as glycolysis, a cell converts glucose, a 6-carbon molecule, into
two 3-carbon molecules called pyruvates. These two pyruvates release electrons that are then
combined with a molecule called NAD+ to form NADH and two molecules of adenosine
triphosphate (ATP).
These ATP molecules are the true "fuel" for an organism and are converted to energy while
the pyruvate molecules and NADH enter the mitochondria. That's where the 3-carbon molecules
are broken down into 2-carbon molecules called Acetyl-CoA and CO2. In each cycle, the Acetyl-
CoA is broken down and used to rebuild carbon chains, to release electrons, and thus to
generate more ATP. This cycle is more complex than glycolysis, and it can also break down fats
and proteins for energy.
As soon as the available free sugar molecules are depleted, the Krebs Cycle in muscle
tissue can start breaking down fat molecules and protein chains to fuel an organism. While the
breakdown of fat molecules can be a positive benefit (lower weight, lower cholesterol), if carried
to excess it can harm the body (the body needs some fat for protection and chemical processes).
In contrast, the breaking down of the body's proteins is often a sign of starvation.

Evolution
The evolution of anaerobic respiration greatly predates that of aerobic respiration. Two
factors make this progression a certainty.
1. The Earth had a much lower oxygen level when the first unicellular organisms
developed, with most ecological niches almost entirely lacking in oxygen.
2. Anaerobic respiration produces only 2 ATP molecules per cycle, enough for unicellular
needs, but inadequate for multicellular organisms.
Aerobic respiration came about only when oxygen levels in the air, water, and ground
surfaces made it abundant enough to use for oxidation-reduction processes. Not only does
oxidation provide a larger ATP yield, as much as 36 ATP molecules per cycle, it can also take
place with a wider range of reductive substances. This meant that organisms could live and grow
larger and occupy more niches. Natural selection would thus favor organisms that could use

4|GEN BIO 1
aerobic respiration, and those that could do so more efficiently to grow larger and to adapt faster
to new and changing environments.
Figure 1. Diagram of simplified cellular respiration.

Learning Activity!

Activity 1│Directions: Determine the major features of glycolysis, pyruvate decarboxylation,

Krebs cycle, and Electron Transport Chain (ETC). Use the table below to
write your answer.
Electron
Pyruvate
Glycolysis Krebs Cycle Transport Chain
Decarboxylation
(ETC).

Occurs in

Initial Source

End-product
(other than ATP)

ATP yield

Activity 2│ Directions: Answer the following questions.

1. Considering that the ATP produced during fermentation is lower than in aerobic
respiration, why does this pathway exist? What are the advantages of fermentation
compared to aerobic respiration and vice versa? Write your answers below.

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5|GEN BIO 1
 2. Now that you have learned various steps or cellular respiration, both aerobic and
anaerobic, can you summarize, in one to two sentences, the importance of oxygen in
respiration?

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3. How does the pathway of electron and energy production change in the absence of
oxygen?

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4. What cells perform anaerobic respiration?

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5. Compare the amount of ATP released by both aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

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6. Why does scientist think that glycolysis evolved before the other stages of cellular
respiration?
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Activity 3│ Directions: Enumerate at least three advantages of aerobic respiration and

fermentation. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Aerobic respiration Fermentation

6|GEN BIO 1
Activity 4│Directions: Copy and answer the following questions in a separate sheet of paper.
Identify the significant applications of fermentation and aerobic
respiration.
a) Food preservation
b) Vinegar making
c) Wine making
d) Cheese making
e) Baking bread

Activity 4│ Directions: Using Venn diagram, compare and contrast Aerobic and anaerobic
Respiration.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Which of the following BEST describes aerobic respiration?
A. The production of pyruvate in the absence of oxygen
B. The production of pyruvate using energy from the sun
C. The production of ATP from glucose in the absence of oxygen
D. The production of ATP from glucose in the presence of oxygen
2. Which of the following differentiates aerobic respiration and fermentation?
A. The amount of NADH that is produced in glycolysis
B. The electron carriers used in the electron transport chain
C. The fate of the NADH and pyruvate produced in glycolysis
D. The electron acceptors used in the electron transport chain
3. Which type of fermentation produces ethanol?
A. Lactate Fermentation
B. Alcoholic Fermentation
C. Lactic Acid Fermentation
D. Acetic Acid Fermentation
4. Which of the following is TRUE about fermentation?
A. Electrons from ATP reduced pyruvate during fermentation
B. Electrons from ATP increased pyruvate during fermentation
C. Electrons from NADH reduced pyruvate during fermentation
D. Electrons from NADH increased pyruvate during fermentation
5. Which of the following is the final electron acceptor during aerobic respiration?
A. ATP C. NADH
B. Hydrogen D. Oxygen
6. Which of the following refers to the type of cellular respiration that converts energy in the
absence of oxygen?

7|GEN BIO 1
 A. Aerobic Respiration
B. Anaerobic Respiration
C. Alcoholic Fermentation
D. Lactic Acid Fermentation
7. Where does fermentation occur?
A. Nucleus
B. Cytoplasm
C. Inner Mitochondrial Matrix
D. Outer Mitochondrial Matrix
8. Which of the following process is the starting point of aerobic respiration?
A. Glycolysis
B. Kreb’s Cycle
C. Transition Reaction
D. Electron Transport Chain
9. Maria experienced muscle fatigue after a long walk. Her muscles feel sore and tired. What
causes this condition to occur?
A. ATP production causes this condition
B. Pyruvic acid formation brought this condition
C. It is due to the formation of alcohol in the body tissues
D. Production of lactic acid occurs when there is a short supply of oxygen in the cells
10. What are the disadvantages of fermentation?
I. It increases the risk of developing gastric cancer.
II. It is vulnerable to contamination.
III. It is not good for the heart
IV. It does not improve cognition
A. I and II only
B. II and III only
C. III and IV only
D. I, II and III only

NOTE: For further clarification/s about the lesson, you can contact the teacher at 0975-758-5226.

REFERENCES: "fermentation." https://www.emgrisa.es/en/publications/tfermentation/. "aerobic

respiration." http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/aerobic respiration/health.htm. Hoefnagels.
"General Biology." By Hoefnafels. McGraw-Hill Education, 2020.

Prepared by: Checked by: Recommending Approval:

Rowena L. Gatan Alex G. Soriano JUDELYN A.PARUNGAO

Science Teacher Subject Coordinator Head, SHS Dep’t.

Approved by: Noted by:

JERIC T. VALDEZ NELIA Z-ANGULUAN, PhD

School Principal School Director

8|GEN BIO 1