Question

during heavy intense exercise, the production of _______ assists in removing pyruvate which helps sustain an elevated glycolytic rate allowing one to exercise maximal beyond 15 seconds

Answer 1

During intense exercise, lactic acid is produced to assist in the removal of pyruvate and maintain an elevated glycolytic rate, allowing high-intensity exercise to continue when oxygen supply is limited.

Step-by-step explanation:

During heavy intense exercise, the production of lactic acid assists in removing pyruvate which helps sustain an elevated glycolytic rate allowing one to exercise maximally beyond 15 seconds. When oxygen is scarce, pyruvic acid is converted to lactic acid in a process that allows the recycling of the enzyme NAD+ from NADH. This recycling is crucial as it enables glycolysis to continue, providing ATP for muscle contraction during short bursts of high-intensity exercise.

Initially, muscle glycogen is used to produce glucose which then undergoes glycolysis. However, as the glycogen levels fall, the body starts releasing glucose from the liver into the bloodstream. When the intensity of exercise exceeds the oxygen supply, the pyruvic acid product of glycolysis is converted to lactic acid instead of entering aerobic pathways. This accumulation of lactic acid may lead to muscle fatigue.

The body compensates for the lack of oxygen by producing ATP through anaerobic pathways, during which there is a net gain of two ATP molecules. Despite being inefficient compared to aerobic respiration, this process is vital for maintaining muscle activity when oxygen cannot be adequately supplied, such as during intense exercises.

Answer 2

The production of Lactate assists in removing pyruvate.

Step-by-step explanation:

During heavy intense exercise, the production of lactate assists in removing pyruvate, which helps sustain an elevated glycolytic rate allowing one to exercise maximally beyond 15 seconds. When muscles are working vigorously, they rely on the glycolytic pathway for energy, breaking down glucose to pyruvate.

As exercise intensity increases, the demand for energy surpasses the capacity of the aerobic system, leading to an accumulation of pyruvate. Lactate is then produced as a byproduct, serving as a crucial mechanism to shuttle excess pyruvate out of the muscle cells. This conversion of pyruvate to lactate allows glycolysis to continue, supporting the rapid production of ATP, which is essential for short bursts of intense activity.

Contrary to the common misconception that lactate causes fatigue, it is actually a valuable energy source and plays a key role in sustaining high-intensity efforts during short-duration exercises. The process, known as the lactate shuttle, exemplifies the dynamic interplay between different metabolic pathways to meet the energy demands of the body during strenuous physical activity.