Anaerobic Respiration: The Fate of Lactate Flashcards
1
Q
In the absence of oxygen what happens to the reduced NAH (NADH) made in glycolysis?
A
It is oxidised
2
Q
What happens to the pyruvate made by glycolysis
A
It is reduced to lactate/lactic acid by receiving a hydrogen from the NADH
3
Q
How is anaerobic cyclical (until oxygen levels are restored)?
A
The NADH is oxidised back to NAD which rejoins the process of glycolysis and allows more ATP to be produced (though not as much as would have been produced with aerobic respiration).
4
Q
What happens to lactate after this process?
A
- It moves out of the cells and into the blood
- When exercise stops and oxygen is made available the lactate is oxidised back to pyruvate. Aerobic respiration continues as normal.
5
Q
What is the difference between anaerobic respiration and alcoholic fermentation?
A
In alcoholic fermentation the pyruvate is reduced to ethanol and CO2.
