Question

The enzyme lactate dehydrogenase is responsible for fermentation of pyruvate to form lactate. This process occurs in red blood cells and in muscle cells during intense exercise. Why is fermentation a necessary process for these cells to meet their energy needs

Answer 1

Fermentation is a process that happens in the absence of oxygen and it involves the conversion of Pyruvate to lactate.

Cells in the body need constant energy supply to cater for the various demands of our everyday activities and to ensure that they function optimally.

Oxygen supply is an important factor in ATP generation and in cases where there is a lack of it the body system adjusts itself to produce the energy anaerobically. This usually involves the conversion of pyruvate to lactate which aids the breakdown of glucose thereby supplying it to cells of the body.