What is produced as a primary end product of lactic acid fermentation?

What is produced as a primary end product of lactic acid fermentation?

• A. Carbon dioxide and ethanol
• B. Lactic acid
• C. Pyruvate
• D. Glucose

Answer: (B)

Lactic acid fermentation is a metabolic process that occurs in certain bacteria and animal cells, particularly in muscle cells during intense exercise when oxygen availability is low. The primary end product of this fermentation is lactic acid. During the process, glucose undergoes glycolysis, which breaks it down into pyruvate. In the absence of oxygen, pyruvate is then converted into lactic acid to regenerate NAD+, allowing glycolysis to continue producing ATP. This is essential for short bursts of energy when oxygen is not readily available. Lactic acid itself can be utilized by the body for energy or converted back into glucose in the liver through a process known as gluconeogenesis. Therefore, the production of lactic acid is a crucial adaptation for energy production under anaerobic conditions.

Lactic acid fermentation is a metabolic process that occurs in certain bacteria and animal cells, particularly in muscle cells during intense exercise when oxygen availability is low. The primary end product of this fermentation is lactic acid.

During the process, glucose undergoes glycolysis, which breaks it down into pyruvate. In the absence of oxygen, pyruvate is then converted into lactic acid to regenerate NAD+, allowing glycolysis to continue producing ATP. This is essential for short bursts of energy when oxygen is not readily available.

Lactic acid itself can be utilized by the body for energy or converted back into glucose in the liver through a process known as gluconeogenesis. Therefore, the production of lactic acid is a crucial adaptation for energy production under anaerobic conditions.