Anaerobic glycolysis is the transformation of glucose to lactate when limited amounts of oxygen (O2) are available.[1] Anaerobic glycolysis is an effective means of energy production only during short, intense exercise,[1] providing energy for a period ranging from 10 seconds to 2 minutes. This is much faster than aerobic metabolism.[2] The anaerobic glycolysis (lactic acid) system is dominant from about 10–30 seconds during a maximal effort. It replenishes very quickly over this period and produces 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule,[3] or about 5% of glucose's energy potential (38 ATP molecules).[4][5] The speed at which ATP is produced is about 100 times that of oxidative phosphorylation.[1]
Anaerobic glycolysis is thought to have been the primary means of energy production in earlier organisms before oxygen was at high concentration in the atmosphere and thus would represent a more ancient form of energy production in cells.
In mammals, lactate can be transformed by the liver back into glucose using the Cori cycle.
Fates of pyruvate under anaerobic conditions: