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91Ó°ÊÓ

Glycolysis under anaerobic conditions provides approximately \(5 \%\) of the energy that could be produced under aerobic conditions. Thus one might assume that anaerobic exercises (such as weight training) would be a better way to lose weight than aerobic exercise. Explain why this is not true.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Aerobic exercise burns more calories, thus more effective for weight loss.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Glycolysis

Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, yielding energy in the form of ATP. Under anaerobic conditions, glycolysis leads to the formation of lactic acid instead of further oxidation in the presence of oxygen. This process is less efficient in terms of ATP production compared to aerobic respiration.
02

Comparing Energy Yield

During aerobic respiration (in the presence of oxygen), the complete oxidation of glucose produces up to 38 molecules of ATP. In contrast, under anaerobic conditions, glycolysis produces only 2 molecules of ATP per glucose molecule. Thus, anaerobic glycolysis is significantly less efficient at generating energy.
03

Understanding Weight Loss

Weight loss primarily depends on creating a caloric deficit, which is achieved by burning more calories than consumed. Exercises that are aerobic in nature, such as running or cycling, tend to be more effective in burning a higher number of calories due to their endurance-focused nature.
04

Analyzing Exercise Impact

Although anaerobic exercises such as weight training do burn calories and contribute to muscle building, they typically do not burn as many calories during the exercise itself compared to aerobic activities. Moreover, aerobic exercises can usually be sustained for longer periods, leading to greater overall energy expenditure.
05

Conclusion on Exercise Efficiency

While anaerobic exercise is important for building muscle, aerobic exercise is generally more effective for calorie burning and weight loss in the short term due to its higher energy yield and ability to be sustained over longer durations.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Glycolysis
Glycolysis is a foundational metabolic process that takes place in the cytoplasm of cells. It is the first step in the breakdown of glucose, a simple sugar, to release energy. During glycolysis, one molecule of glucose is converted into two molecules of pyruvate, along with the production of a small amount of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This pathway does not require oxygen, making it an anaerobic process. Although glycolysis alone produces only 2 ATP molecules per glucose, it is crucial as it sets the stage for further energy extraction processes when oxygen is available.
ATP production
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is often referred to as the "energy currency" of the cell. It stores and provides energy for many cellular functions. ATP production occurs during cellular respiration, which can be aerobic or anaerobic. In aerobic conditions, glucose is completely oxidized in the mitochondria, resulting in the production of up to 38 ATP molecules per glucose molecule. In contrast, anaerobic respiration, which relies solely on glycolysis, produces only 2 ATP per glucose, showing how much less efficient this method is for energy production. Aerobic respiration is more favorable for sustained, high-energy activities.
Caloric deficit
A caloric deficit is the cornerstone of successful weight loss. It occurs when the calories burned exceed the calories consumed. Achieving a calorie deficit can be accomplished by increasing physical activity, reducing calorie intake, or a combination of both. Aerobic exercises, such as jogging, swimming, or cycling, are particularly effective for creating a caloric deficit. These activities tend to burn more calories as they can be performed for extended periods, making them more efficient for weight loss compared to anaerobic exercises that focus on short bursts of energy.
Anaerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration occurs when cells produce energy without the presence of oxygen. This type of respiration is a fallback mechanism for ATP production, less efficient than aerobic respiration. It results in the fermentation of glucose and production of lactic acid, contributing to muscle fatigue during high-intensity workouts. While anaerobic respiration yields less ATP, it is essential for powerful, quick bursts of energy such as sprinting or heavy lifting. However, due to its limited energy production capacity, it is not the most effective approach for weight loss compared to aerobic exercise.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Which of the following applies to gap junctions? a) They are present in skeletal and smooth muscles. b) They enable action potentials to travel from one cell to another. c) They accelerate contractile force. d) Both a and b. e) All of the above.

Following the contraction phase of a muscle twitch, cytoplasmic calcium concentration declines, and calcium ions dissociate from troponin. When the calcium concentration returns to its resting level, ATP hydrolysis ceases because a) ATP concentration goes to zero. b) Low calcium levels cause the energy of ATP hydrolysis to become positive, favoring ATP synthesis. c) ATP binding sites on myosin molecules lose their ability to catalyze ATP hydrolysis. d) The number of available (unoccupied) myosin ATPase sites declines to virtually zero.

Discuss how oxidative muscle fibers differ from glycolytic fibers, and explain how each of these factors relates to the ability of a fiber to resist fatigue.

When a muscle cell is relaxed and intracellular ATP levels are normal, a crossbridge will remain in which of the following states? a) Bound to actin and in the low-energy form b) Bound to actin and in the high-energy form c) In the high-energy form, with ADP and \(\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{i}}\) bound to it d) In the high-energy form, with ATP bound to it e) In the low-energy form with nothing bound to it

Which of the following would tend to reduce the concentration of lactic acid that accumulates in a muscle cell as a result of contractile activity? a) Increasing the concentration of glycolytic enzymes b) Decreasing the oxygen supply to the cell c) Increasing the diameter of the cell d) Increasing the number of mitochondria in the cell e) All of the above

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