TeXes Science Practice Test

What process do Latia's muscles resort to when they run out of oxygen during the run?

1. Aerobic respiration

2. Anaerobic respiration

3. Cellular respiration

4. Oxygen debt generation

The correct answer is: Anaerobic respiration

When Latia's muscles run out of oxygen during her run, they resort to anaerobic respiration. This process occurs when oxygen levels are insufficient for aerobic respiration, which typically generates energy through the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen. In anaerobic respiration, glucose is broken down without oxygen, leading to the production of energy (in the form of ATP) alongside byproducts such as lactic acid. This pathway allows muscles to continue functioning under low-oxygen conditions, albeit less efficiently than aerobic respiration, which generates more ATP per glucose molecule. The other options represent different processes or concepts related to energy production but do not specifically address the scenario of low oxygen availability. Aerobic respiration specifically requires oxygen and cannot occur when it is limited. Cellular respiration is a broader term that includes both aerobic and anaerobic processes. Oxygen debt generation refers to the amount of oxygen required to metabolize lactic acid after anaerobic activity has occurred rather than the process itself that supplies energy when oxygen is scarce. The distinction is essential as the correct identification of anaerobic respiration clarifies how the body can sustain energy production under stress or extreme conditions.