Asked by Sergen Bayraktar on Jun 10, 2024
Verified
Why do organisms without oxygen need to convert pyruvate to lactate?
A) in order to regenerate NAD+
B) because lactate is needed to produce ATP
C) because pyruvate is toxic to the cells
D) in order to use lactate in the citric acid cycle
E) because the conversion provides much more ATP for the cell
Lactate
A compound produced in the body during the anaerobic conversion of glucose to energy, often associated with muscle fatigue.
NAD+
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme found in all living cells that is involved in redox reactions, carrying electrons from one reaction to another.
Oxygen
A chemical element (O) essential for most forms of life on earth, playing a key role in cellular respiration and energy production.
- Elucidate the essential nature of oxygen for aerobic respiration and the function of fermentation under anaerobic circumstances.
Verified Answer
QK
Qu?ng KhánhJun 14, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
Organisms convert pyruvate to lactate in anaerobic conditions to regenerate NAD+, which is essential for glycolysis to continue. This process does not directly produce ATP, but it allows glycolysis (which does produce ATP) to continue by replenishing the supply of NAD+.
Learning Objectives
- Elucidate the essential nature of oxygen for aerobic respiration and the function of fermentation under anaerobic circumstances.