Counterargument Class Challenge
Claim:
Anaerobic respiration is a valuable process to humans
Counterargument: You turn against your argument to challenge it. You first imagine a
skeptical reader, or cite an actual source, who might resist your argument by pointing out
o a problem with your demonstration, e.g. that a different conclusion could be drawn from
the same facts, a key assumption is unwarranted, a key term is used unfairly, certain
evidence is ignored or played down;
o one or more disadvantages or practical drawbacks to what you propose;
o an alternative explanation or proposal that makes more sense.
Since aerobic respiration produces 36 more ATP per molecule of glucose,
anaerobic respiration is worthless to humans.
Responses to Counterargument - turn back to re-affirm your claim—which you
announce with a but, yet, however, nevertheless or still—must likewise involve careful
reasoning. You may
o
o
o
o
Deny- Tell why the counterargument is not true
Reverse- Tell why the counterargument helps your claim
Minimize- Agree with the counterargument but say why it is not very important
Outweigh- Agree with the counterargument but argue a supporting warrant is more
important
IN THIS RESPONSE: Include a comparison from the table (Evidence) and explain how this
comparison demonstrates your response (Reasoning)
Boston Debate League ©2013
Aerobic
Respiration
Anaerobic
Respiration
Oxygen
requirement:
Yes
No
Site of reactions:
Cytoplasm and mitochondria
Cytoplasm
Stages:
Glycolysis
Krebs cycle
Electron Transport Chain
Glycolysis
Fermentation
Net Production of
ATP:
36 ATP per 1 glucose
2 ATP per 1 glucose
Conversion of
Pyruvate:
Carbon Dioxide
Lactic Acid or Alcohol
How it recycles
NADH:
Electron Transport Chain
Fermentation
Cells that use:
most cells
yeast, prokaryotes, muscle cells
The process of aerobic vs anaerobic respiration
Anaerobic and aerobic respiration share the initial pathway of glycolysis. In this pathway,
glucose is broken into pyruvate and produces 2 net ATP and charges electron carriers (NADH).
The sugar molecules stored in the food are broken apart and the energy released is stored by
cells in the form of ATP. This process is much more effective in the presence of oxygen through
aerobic respiration.
Aerobic respiration requires oxygen in order to generate energy (ATP). In the Krebs Cycle
pyruvate is broken further into carbon dioxide, forming 2 more ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)
and charging more electron carriers (NADH and FADH2). Then the electron carriers are used in
the electron transport chain to produce 32 ATP.
Without oxygen, the Krebs Cycle and Electron Transport Chain do not occure. The pyruvate
enters fermentation. It is converted to waste products (lactic acid in humans, alcohol in yeast)
that may be removed from the cell. The electron carriers (NADH) are uncharged so the cell can
perform glycolysis again.
Boston Debate League ©2013