Question

The enzyme needed to convert pyruvic acid to lactic acid is called?

1) Lactase
2) Lactic dehydrogenase
3) Pyruvate kinase
4) Pyruvate decarboxylase

Answer 1

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is the enzyme responsible for converting pyruvic acid to lactic acid. The reaction can occur in either direction, but it is inhibited by acidic conditions. Once lactic acid is removed from muscles and transported to the liver, it can be converted back to pyruvic acid and further metabolized for energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The enzyme responsible for converting pyruvic acid to lactic acid is lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This enzyme catalyzes the reaction where pyruvic acid is reduced to lactic acid while NADH is oxidized to NAD+. The reaction can occur in either direction, but it is inhibited by acidic conditions.

Lactic acid accumulation was once believed to cause muscle stiffness and fatigue, but recent research disputes this hypothesis. Once lactic acid is removed from muscles and transported to the liver, it can be converted back to pyruvic acid and further metabolized for energy.