Fermentation is the process that creates energy without the need of oxygen to create ATP. Let us check if fermentation occurs in mitochondria or not.

The process of fermentation does not occur in mitochondria as it always takes place in the cytoplasm of anaerobically respiring microorganisms. The cytoplasm is the main area where it allows glycolysis to continue to produce energy in the form of ATP.

Let us see how fermentation occur in the anaerobic condition, why it does not occur in mitochondria, when it occurs and many other related questions in this article.

Why does fermentation not occur in the mitochondria?

Most of the mitochondria use oxygen for their respiration rather than fermentation reactions. Let us see why fermentation does not occur in the mitochondria.

There is no role of fermentation in mitochondria because such a process occurs in anaerobic conditions. It is a way of producing some amount of ATP when there is not enough oxygen available to do it aerobically.

Most of the aerobic or cellular respiration takes place in the cytosol, giving the by products including ATP, NADH and pyruvate.

How does fermentation take place?

As have already mentioned, fermentation occur in the anaerobic conditions. Now let us see how the process of fermentation takes place.

Listed below are the steps which shows how fermentation takes place :

• Fermentation is a biochemical process where the activities of microorganisms are present in the product.
• The microorganisms utilize the raw materials or nutrients present in the medium to convert different finished products.
• The process of substrate-level phosphorylation mainly depends on fermentation.
• Such a process produces some phosphate bonds via the introduction of organic phosphate into an intermediate that is rich in energy.
• In the pharmaceutical industry, many active pharmaceutical ingredients are produced through fermentation.

Where does fermentation occur?

The cytoplasm is the main part of a cell to do glycolysis as well as fermentation reactions, for example, eukaryotic cells. Let us see where it occurs.

Most of the fermentation occurs in mammalian muscle cells, bacteria as well as yeast cells in the absence of oxygen which is also known as anaerobic process. The remaining pathways, start with pyruvate oxidation.

When does fermentation take place?

There are certain conditions required for the process of fermentation to take place. Let us see what they are in brief.

Anaerobic respiration or fermentation takes place during the lack of oxygen. Fermentation begins when insufficient oxygen is transported into the mitochondria which will produce a very low level of NAD+. The availability of glucose and aerobic condition makes energy for the survival of the cell.

The lack of NAD (A high ratio of NADH to NAD) makes it impossible for the cell to convert pyruvate to acetyl CoA and to continue to convert glucose to pyruvate. Due to the low level of NAD+, the glycolysis process will stop. The continued regulation of such a process needs an adequate amount of oxygen.

Does lactic acid fermentation occur in mitochondria?

Lactic acid is the main by product of fermentation. Let us explore if lactic acid fermentation occurs in mitochondria.

Lactic acid fermentation does not occur within mitochondria. If oxygen is present, the pyruvate formed during glycolysis will enter the Krebs cycle in mitochondria. If pyruvic acid wants to lactate the fermentation process, the conditions should be anaerobic.

Does alcoholic fermentation occur in the mitochondria?

Anaerobic respiration includes glycolysis followed by the conversion of pyruvate into ethanol, CO2, and NAD+. Let us check if alcoholic fermentation occurs in mitochondria.

The process of alcoholic fermentation does not take place in mitochondria due to anaerobic respiration. The main site for fermentation process is the cytosol of cytoplasm, which is located outside of mitochondria.

Conclusion

From the above article, it can be concluded that fermentation is a specific pathway of cellular respiration which takes place in anaerobic conditions rather than aerobically happening in mitochondria.

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Bhairavi Rathord

Hello, I am Bhairavi Rathod, I have completed my Master’s in Biotechnology and qualified ICAR NET 2021 in Agricultural Biotechnology. My area of specialization is Integrated Biotechnology. I have the experience to teach and write very complex things in a simple way for learners.