Question

What is the primary difference between lactic acid and lactate in the context of anaerobic glycolysis?

a. Lactic acid dissociates immediately, while lactate does not.
b. Lactic acid is produced and contributes to acidity, while lactate is not acidic.
c. Lactic acid and lactate are used interchangeably and have the same implications.
d. Lactic acid is the older term, and lactate is the modern, more accurate term.

What does the article suggest about the historical usage of lactic acid in relation to anaerobic glycolysis?
a. It emphasizes the accurate use of lactic acid to describe lactate production.
b. It criticizes the historical use of lactic acid and advocates for using only lactate.
c. It supports the interchangeable use of both terms.
d. It proposes a new term to replace both lactic acid and lactate.

According to the article, what is the source of the hydrogen ions (H+) contributing to cellular acidosis during anaerobic glycolysis?
a. Immediate dissociation of lactic acid.
b. ATP hydrolysis during glycolysis.
c. Protonation of lactate.
d. Formation of carboxylic acids.

Why does the article argue that lactic acid is not produced during glycolysis?
a. Because lactate immediately dissociates into H+ and lactate.
b. Due to the historical limitations of acid-base chemistry understanding.
c. Every intermediate after 3-phosphoglycerate is in an ionic form.
d. Lactic acid is only produced under aerobic conditions.

What role does lactate play in cellular metabolism, according to the article?
a. It serves as a source of energy during glycolysis.
b. It acts as a buffer, consuming hydrogen ions (H+) and mitigating acidosis.
c. Lactate contributes to the production of ATP.
d. Lactate is a byproduct with no significant role in cellular function.

Answer 1

Lactic acid and lactate are formed during anaerobic glycolysis. Lactic acid dissociates immediately, while lactate does not. Lactate acts as a buffer, consuming hydrogen ions and mitigating acidosis, and serves as a source of energy for other tissues.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lactic acid and lactate are formed during anaerobic glycolysis when oxygen is limited or absent. The primary difference between them is that lactic acid dissociates immediately into lactate and hydrogen ions (H+), while lactate does not dissociate.

This helps to maintain the pH and enables glycolysis to continue. Lactic acid is the older term, while lactate is the modern, more accurate term.

The article suggests that historically, lactic acid has been used to describe lactate production in anaerobic glycolysis.

However, it emphasizes the accurate use of lactate as the more appropriate term. Lactic acid and lactate are not interchangeable terms, and lactate is the preferred term in the context of anaerobic glycolysis.

In anaerobic glycolysis, the source of hydrogen ions (H+) contributing to cellular acidosis is the immediate dissociation of lactic acid. This release of H+ ions leads to a decrease in pH and the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles.

The article argues that lactic acid is not produced during glycolysis because lactate immediately dissociates into H+ and lactate. Lactic acid can only form under aerobic conditions when lactate is converted back into pyruvate. Therefore, lactic acid is not a byproduct of anaerobic glycolysis.

Lactate plays a significant role in cellular metabolism as it acts as a buffer, consuming hydrogen ions (H+) and mitigating acidosis.

It helps to maintain pH balance and prevent the buildup of lactic acid during anaerobic glycolysis. Lactate also serves as a source of energy for other tissues and can be converted back into pyruvate or glucose for ATP production.