Respiratory pathways are the different routes cells use to break down glucose and extract energy. These pathways determine how efficiently energy is produced and what waste products are formed, with important implications for muscle function and exercise performance.
🔬 Key Pathways
Glycolysis breaks glucose into pyruvate
Aerobic pathway produces maximum ATP
Anaerobic pathway produces lactic acid
Pathway choice depends on oxygen availability
Pathway Fact!
Your muscles can switch between aerobic and anaerobic pathways in seconds, adapting to changing energy demands during exercise!
🎯 Learning Objectives
Understand how glucose is broken down through different pathways, compare energy yields, and learn why muscle fatigue occurs during intense exercise.