When we work much harder than normal our bodies may temporar

When we work much harder than normal, our bodies may temporarily switch from aerobic to anaerobic respiration.

Question: Which of the two types of anaerobic respiration can humans switch to? What happens to our bodies when we undergo anaerobic respiration? and why don\'t athletes\' bodies undergo anaerobic respiration as much as non-athletes\' bodies?

Solution

Anaerobic respiration occurs in humans during vigorous exercise. When muscle cells having higher demand for oxygen, they have to switch to an anaerobic pathway to process energy. Anaerobic respiration in humans occurs most often in fast-twitch muscle cells, which have a lower capacity for storing oxygen than slow-twitch muscles and they switch to a lactic acid fermentation process to create energy. Humans use their fast-twitch muscle cells during vigorous exercise, particularly running.

Glycolysis

It is the most basic form of metabolism found in all living things, is also the first step in both the aerobic and anaerobic respiration processes. Glycolysis uses enzymes to break down glucose into other types of molecules, releasing energy in the process.

Fermentation

In anaerobic respiration cells have to use fermentation to keep the metabolism going. Fermentation produces the enzymes that are necessary for cell operation, but it also creates a waste by product is called lactic acid.

By-products

In humans lactic acid is excreted through the muscle fibres and processed by the liver. The lactic acid can build up in muscle fibres, however, causing side effects of anaerobic respiration. There will produce many toxins that are created during anaerobic respiration, and then the liver will try to cleanse those toxins as fast as it can and liver cannot remove the toxins as fast as they are created, they build up. When a person experiences pain in their muscles because of working out, it is usually because of lactic acid building up.

A person (athletes) who regularly does aerobic exercise will develop a healthier and stronger body. Their heart will be stronger, and pump more blood per heartbeat, making it more efficient, to handle the increased blood circulation required for aerobic exercise. The lung capacity increased in the way of efficiency at transferring material between the air and the bloodstream will increase to handle the extra oxygen required during aerobic exercise. Body will become more efficient to handle the increased blood circulation. The muscles increase their efficiency and more blood vessels will be created in the muscles, coordination increases.