Aerobic system (oxidative system)

This system is aerobic and occurs in the mitochondria. The system can rely on
carbohydrate, lipids and proteins. If oxygen is present in sufficient quantities in the
mitochondria, pyruvate is not converted to lactate but is transported into the mitochondria.
After glucose is broken into pyruvate via glycolysis, pyruvate enters the mitochondria and is
converted to acetyl-CoA which enters the citric acid cycle. Acetyl CoA can also be produced
via β-oxidation of acyl CoA and ketone as well as from α-keto acids. Electrons produced
from these processes which are captured by NADH & FADH 2 drive the production of ATP
through the coupling of electron transport chain to oxidative phosphorylation. The energy
yield of aerobic system is high but take the longest time among the 3 energy systems to yield
energy.

Advantages and disadvantages of aerobic system

Advantages Disadvantages

A large amount of ATP can be re- Slow starting system. There is a delay
synthesised. 36-38 moles of ATP from whilst sufficient oxygen is delivered from
one mole of glycogen – even more from the lungs to the working muscles so this
fats system cannot provide large amounts of
ATP immediately

Very efficient system – with good O2 More complex series of reactions =

supply slower

Energy can be supplied for long periods The system cannot produce ATP while
 working at higher intensities, again due to
the difficulties in delivering enough
oxygen to the working muscles

There are no harmful by-products = no Requires more O2 supply (15%+) for fat
fatigue metabolism