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Title: Release of energy from many biological molecules requires oxygen, and yet some s Post by: colleen on Jan 26, 2012 Release of energy from many biological molecules requires oxygen, and yet some species are able to survive in conditions having little or no oxygen (hypoxia or anoxia). What adaptations allow them to do this?
Title: Re: Release of energy from many biological molecules requires oxygen, and yet some s Post by: lewis on Mar 5, 2012 The most obvious means is to decrease the energy requirements by slowing metabolic reactions in all or part of the tissues. This extends the supply of fuel that can be utilized without oxygen. Animals can also store more of their energy as glycogen, which can be metabolized by anaerobic glycolysis. Lastly, some animals have modified glycolytic pathways that produce end products other than lactate. These end products are less toxic, or can be removed easily from the body so they do not stop glycolysis.
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