Question

Playing soccer requires a substantial amount of energy. Players must learn to recognize that cramps indicate something is wrong. Not enough oxygen is the most likely cause, which also leads to a lack of ATP and pain. How would muscle cells most likely respond to this lack of oxygen?

A. Muscle cells will produce more ATP to compensate.
B. Muscle cells will become more efficient in using oxygen.
C. Muscle cells will experience cramps due to oxygen deficiency.
D. Muscle cells will switch to anaerobic respiration to generate energy.

Answer 1

OPTION D.

Under low oxygen conditions, muscle cells generate energy through anaerobic respiration, converting glucose to ATP and creating lactic acid as a byproduct.

Step-by-step explanation:

When muscle cells encounter a lack of oxygen, they cannot produce sufficient ATP through aerobic respiration. Under these conditions, muscle cells will switch to anaerobic respiration to generate energy, a process that produces ATP from glucose without the need for oxygen. During intense exercise when the demand for ATP is high and oxygen delivery to muscles is inadequate, anaerobic respiration leads to the conversion of pyruvic acid to lactic acid, which can contribute to muscle fatigue and cramps.

Answer 2

Muscle cells deprived of oxygen switch to anaerobic respiration, producing ATP and lactic acid. This switch allows energy generation in the absence of oxygen but can lead to muscle fatigue and cramps.

Step-by-step explanation:

When muscle cells experience a lack of oxygen, commonly during strenuous exercises, the body can't supply enough oxygen for aerobic respiration, which is normally a major source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Instead, the cells turn to anaerobic respiration to generate energy. Anaerobic glycolysis produces a small amount of ATP without the need for oxygen, resulting in the conversion of pyruvic acid into lactic acid. Excess lactic acid can contribute to muscle fatigue and cramps, which players often experience. Thus, the correct response to the lack of oxygen in muscle cells is option D: Muscle cells will switch to anaerobic respiration to generate energy.