Question

What is one reason why anaerobic metabolism such as anaerobic glycolysis is best used for short-term energy use as opposed to having animals rely on them continuosly for days and weeks?

Answer 1

Anaerobic glycolysis leads to the end product lactate. Lactate can't be further metabolized and it has to be converted to pyruvate (Cori cycle) to metabolize further. Pyruvate is only further metabolized with the help of oxygen.

So when anaerobic glycolysis occurs it leads to the accumulation of end product lactate and this may reach toxic levels in the blood which may cause acid base disturbance and death. So it has to be reutilized and this happens only with pyruvate and the oxidative metabolism.

So animals or humans can't rely on anaerobic glycolysis for long periods.

Hope this helps... Thank you!!!