12.2.2

Oxygen Use & 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 and can build up in muscles, leading to muscular pain and fatigue.
  • Lactic acid also stops muscles contracting efficiently.
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Oxygen debt

  • Oxygen debt refers to the extra oxygen required after exercise to oxidise (combine with oxygen) lactic acid and remove it from 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 for the break-down of lactic acid.
  • A fast heart rate helps transport lactic acid from muscles to the liver.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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