Brooklyn College
City University of New York

Science at a Distance

topic

Biological Energy

This Bio-Module requires the use of the text book "Exploring Life" by Professor John Blamire.

The Words of Science

fermentation

A process of anaerobic respiration in which organic food molecules are broken down to release energy, carbon dioxide and alcohol or lactic acid; less efficient than aerobic respiration in producing ATP.
From the Latin word fermentare, meaning to cause to rise.

This is one piece of chemistry (and Biology) that predates written history. Fruit juices or mashed grains would undergo a change in which bubbles of gas were given off and the resulting liquids, when drunk, caused strange sensations in the consumer. The mechanism of change remained a mystery, however, until the invention of the microscope and the discovery of living cells.
(see enzyme)

Words of Science