4.2.6

Oxygen Debt

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Anaerobic Respiration

If muscles are not supplied with enough oxygen during long periods of activity (like exercise), then muscle cells may start to respire anaerobically. This can lead to oxygen debt:

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Lactic acid

  • Lactic acid is a by-product of anaerobic respiration.
  • Lactic acid is toxic. When it builds up in muscles, this can cause muscular pain and fatigue.
  • Lactic acid also stops muscles contracting efficiently.
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Oxygen debt

  • Oxygen debt refers to the extra oxygen that is needed after exercise to oxidise lactic acid and get it out of cells.
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Repaying the debt

  • Blood transports the lactic acid to the liver, where it reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.
  • Heavy breathing after exercise helps to repay the oxygen debt by taking more oxygen into the lungs.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

1.1What's in Cells?

1.2Cell Division

1.3Transport in Cells

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

5.1Homeostasis

5.2The Human Nervous System

5.3Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4Plant Hormones

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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