The entire aerobic pathway will shut down. The cell does have an alternative system which will allow glycolysis to continue despite the lack of oxygen. Anaerobic fermentation will remove hydrogens and electrons from NADH and will remove the end product pyruvate. Together, these actions will allow glycolysis to continue. Two different anaerobic fermentation pathways are known.
Alcoholic fermentation is common in bacteria and yeast cells.
In alcoholic fermentation, pyruvate is first decarboxylated to yield a 2-carbon substance acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is then reduced as hydrogens are transferred from NADH to acetaldehyde to produce ethyl alcohol. Once the NAD has been oxidized, glycolysis can continue. The same result is reached by animal cells through the process of lactic acid fermentation. The end product is a molecule of lactic acid.