Cell Division and Cancer Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The phenomenon that describes cancer cells' preference for glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation for energy production is known as the Warburg effect. This effect is named after Otto Warburg, who observed that cancer cells tend to produce energy primarily through glycolysis, even in the presence of sufficient oxygen, which is typically more efficient for energy production via oxidative phosphorylation.

In normal cells, when oxygen is available, they primarily rely on oxidative phosphorylation, which occurs in the mitochondria and generates significantly more ATP per glucose molecule compared to glycolysis. However, cancer cells favor glycolysis, a process that occurs in the cytoplasm and yields less ATP but enables rapid production of energy in the form of ATP and precursors necessary for biosynthesis. This preference is thought to support the rapid growth and proliferation of cancer cells, allowing them to thrive in varying environmental conditions, including hypoxia (low oxygen conditions), which are often present within tumors.

The Warburg effect is also associated with the production of lactate from pyruvate, even when oxygen is present, which further separates cancer metabolism from normal cellular respiration processes. This metabolic adaptation is a key feature of cancer biology and is crucial for understanding how tumors sustain themselves energetically and how this may impact potential treatment strategies.