When oxygen is not available, some organisms are still able to use anaerobic cellular respiration to produce ATP. Alternate pathways use a molecule other than oxygen as a final electron acceptor. Thus the products will differ from those of aerobic cellular respiration. Molecules such as lactate, ethanol, and acetic acid are commonly produced.

The production of gases and acids through anaerobic respiration has been pursued by industry in many different ways. The food industry uses anaerobic respiration in bread and cheese production, while the wine industry depends on this type of respiration to create its product. How does a knowledge of anaerobic respiration further the growth of different technologies?