Anaerobic – without oxygen

(Pronounced an-uh-roh-bik)

Anaerobic means "without oxygen". Anaerobic respiration does not involve oxygen. It happens when you do vigorous exercise and your body can't supply enough oxygen to your muscles. Anaerobic respiration is the complete breakdown of glucose into energy and lactic acid.

Glucose   →  lactic acid + energy

(Note: Respiration is the production of energy)

To help remember what anaerobic means use the following mnemonic:

The anaconda wrapped itself in rows. It would be a quick (anaerobic) death for the ox without oxygen.