Final answer:
Fermentation in muscle cells (anaerobic respiration) produces lactic acid. Muscle cells undergo lactic acid fermentation during anaerobic respiration, producing lactic acid and a small amount of ATP when oxygen supply is low.
Step-by-step explanation:
In muscle cells, fermentation (anaerobic respiration) produces lactic acid. When muscles are used to the point of fatigue and there is insufficient oxygen supply for aerobic respiration to continue, the process of lactic acid fermentation takes over to provide energy. Lactic acid fermentation involves the conversion of pyruvic acid and NADH into lactic acid and NAD+.
Muscle cells undergo lactic acid fermentation during anaerobic respiration, producing lactic acid and a small amount of ATP when oxygen supply is low.
Fermentation in muscle cells, also known as anaerobic respiration, produces lactic acid. This process occurs when there is an insufficient oxygen supply for aerobic respiration to continue, such as in muscles used to the point of fatigue. Lactic acid fermentation is catalyzed by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), with the conversion of pyruvic acid and NADH to lactic acid and NAD+, allowing glycolysis to proceed and regenerate a modest yield of ATP (two molecules of ATP per molecule of glucose).
In comparison to aerobic respiration, which can produce up to 36 molecules of ATP from one molecule of glucose, lactic acid fermentation is less efficient. Nevertheless, it is a vital adaptation for muscle cells to continue producing energy under anaerobic conditions. Once lactic acid has been produced, it must be removed from the muscles via the blood and transported to the liver, where it can be further metabolized.