alcoholic fermentation
al·co·hol·ic fer·men·ta·tion
alcoholic fermentation
alcoholic fermentation
a type of CELLULAR RESPIRATION found in plants and some unicells which does not require oxygen, and that results in the production of ethanol (an alcohol) from GLUCOSE and the release of small amounts of energy. The main details are described under ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION but, briefly, fermentation involves GLYCOLYSIS to produce PYRUVIC ACID and then (in the absence of oxygen) the breakdown of pyruvic acid to ethanol via ethanal with the release of CO2 .See also Fig. 34 .