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why cannot animals respire anaerobicly
In animals, anaerobic respiration produces lactic acid as the glucose is not fully broken down.

Glucose____         Lactic acid + energy.

If the lactic acid builds up it can stop the muscles from working, causing cramp. This lactic acid needs to be broken down. This requires oxygen. Respiring in this way builds up an oxygen debt which must be repaid in order to get rid of the lactic acid. As a result, animals cannot respire for very long without oxygen.


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