Which two processes are involved in anaerobic respiration?

The two processes involved in anaerobic respiration are fermentation and glycolysis.

Glycolysis is the first step in the breakdown of glucose, occurring in the cytoplasm of the cell, and it does not require oxygen. During glycolysis, one molecule of glucose is converted into two molecules of pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH in the process. Since anaerobic respiration occurs in environments lacking oxygen, the pyruvate produced from glycolysis can then undergo fermentation, which allows cells to continue generating ATP without relying on oxygen.

Fermentation can take various forms, such as lactic acid fermentation and alcoholic fermentation, depending on the organism and conditions. In each case, it allows the regeneration of NAD+, which is vital for glycolysis to continue and ensures a continuous supply of ATP in anaerobic conditions.

In contrast, processes like oxidative phosphorylation and the Krebs cycle are part of aerobic respiration and require oxygen, making them unsuitable for anaerobic pathways. Thus, the combination of glycolysis and fermentation encapsulates the core of anaerobic respiration in cellular metabolism.