Why would a cell ferment rather than respire?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

There are two main reasons why a cell would ferment rather than respire. Firstly, if there is no oxygen present, the cell cannot use aerobic respiration and may resort to either anaerobic respiration or fermentation. However, if the cell lacks the ability to respire, meaning it does not have an electron transport chain, it may be forced to undergo fermentation instead. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it encompasses both scenarios. Option A is partially correct as lack of oxygen is a common trigger for fermentation, but it does not address the possibility of anaerobic respiration. Option B is also not comprehensive enough, as the absence of an electron transport chain is just one of the factors that may lead to fermentation.

Why Would a Cell Ferment Rather Than Respire