What you’ll learn to do: Illustrate the basic components and steps of fermentation.

The final metabolic pathway we’ll discuss is fermentation. This is an anaerobic process (it occurs without oxygen).

You’re most likely familiar with the idea that alcohol is created through a process called fermentation. However, you may not be familiar with just how this process works. Another type of fermentation—called lactic acid fermentation—takes place in the bodies of animals and some bacteria. Humans gain valuable products from both types of fermentation. Alcohol fermentation creates breads, beer, wine, and spirits for us. Lactic acid fermentation is used in making dairy based products such as yogurt.