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      Anaerobic cellular respiration and fermentation in microorganisms

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe the reactants and products of anaerobic cellular respiration in microorganisms, and ways in which the process is useful to us.

      Key learning points

      1. In microorganisms, anaerobic cellular respiration produces carbon dioxide and a type of alcohol called ethanol.
      2. A word summary of the reactants and products of anaerobic cellular respiration in microorganisms.
      3. Anaerobic cellular respiration in microorganisms is also called fermentation.
      4. Humans use fermentation in microorganisms to make useful products such as bread, yogurt and alcoholic drinks.

      Keywords

      • Microorganism - A microorganism is a living organism made up of one or a small number of cells.

      • Anaerobic cellular respiration - Anaerobic cellular respiration is a form of cellular respiration which occurs without oxygen.

      • Ethanol - Ethanol is a product of anaerobic cellular respiration in microorganisms.

      • Alcohol - Alcohols are a group of compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

      • Fermentation - The process of anaerobic respiration in microorganisms is called fermentation.

      Common misconception

      Students can often confuse the word summaries for the different types of cellular respiration.

      This lesson directly compares the different word summaries for anaerobic cellular respiration to help understand the differences between them.

      Teacher tip

      Task B is an experiment which students could carry out themselves.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      True or false? All living organisms undergo cellular respiration.

      Correct answer: True
      False

      Q2.
      What are the reactants of aerobic cellular respiration?

      glucose and carbon dioxide
      carbon dioxide and water
      water and oxygen
      Correct answer: oxygen and glucose
      glucose and carbon dioxide

      Q3.
      Where does aerobic cellular respiration take place in plants and animals?

      Correct Answer: mitchondria, mitochondrion, Mitochondria, Mitochondrion

      Q4.
      What is a microorganism?

      a small living animal like a micropig
      a small animal or plant
      a virus
      a small living organism like moss
      Correct answer: a living organism made up of one or a small number of cells

      Q5.
      What is the product of anaerobic respiration?

      Correct Answer: Lactic acid, lactic acid

      Q6.
      Which of the following apply only to aerobic respiration not anaerobic respiration?

      Correct answer: it requires oxygen
      it is a series of chemical reactions
      Correct answer: it occurs in the mitochondria
      it provides energy
      it produces oxygen

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which is the word summary for anaerobic cellular respiration in microorganisms?

      Glucose + oxygen --> carbon dioxide and water
      Glucose + oxygen --> carbon dioxide +ethanol + water
      Glucose + oxygen --> ethanol + carbon dioxide
      Correct answer: Glucose --> ethanol + carbon dioxide

      Q2.
      True or false? Anaerobic respiration in humans produces the same products as anaerobic respiration in microorganisms?

      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q3.
      Anaerobic cellular respiration in microorganisms can also be called .

      Correct Answer: fermentation, Fermentation

      Q4.
      Which microorganism is used to make wine and bread?

      Correct Answer: Yeast, yeast

      Q5.
      Which of the following apply to anaerobic cellular respiration in both humans and microorganisms?

      Correct answer: occurs in the cytoplasm
      ethanol is produced
      Correct answer: occurs when oxygen is unavailable
      Correct answer: glucose is a reactant
      carbon dioxide is produced

      Q6.
      Who is correct?

      Correct answer: Izzy: Anaerobic cellular respiration is carried by humans and bacteria.
      Jun: Yeast, bacteria and humans all use oxygen in anaerobic cellular respiration
      Correct answer: Laura: Anaerobic cellular respiration is carried out by yeast and bacteria.
      Alex: Anaerobic cellular respiration happens in mitochondria.

      To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Anaerobic cellular respiration and fermentation in microorganisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...