Aerobic and Anaerobic Forms of Metabolism

This chapter details the aerobic and anaerobic forms of metabolism. It explains that both forms of metabolism are major categories of catabolic, biochemical pathways by which animal cells release energy from foodstuff molecules to synthesise adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The four mechanisms of ATP production are aerobic catabolism by the use of O2 acquired simultaneously from the environment, anaerobic glycolysis, anaerobic ATP production by the use of phosphagen, and aerobic ATP production by the use of internal O2 stores. The chapter also considers fatigue and muscle fibre types as the themes in exercise physiology. It cites the interplay of aerobic and anaerobic catabolism during exercise.