Question

A person with too much lactic acid in their blood, formally called lactic acidosis, is at risk for a variety of adverse health effects. If the average person has approximately 4445 mL of blood, how much lactic acid (in grams) would there need to be before the healthy range is exceeded?

Answer 1

Lactic acidosis occurs when there is greater than 1.60 g in 4445 mL of blood

Step-by-step explanation:

A normal blood lactic acid level is 0.5-1 mmol/L.

Mild to moderately elevated level of blood lactic acid known as hyperlactatemia occur when the range is between 2-4 mmol/L without metabolic acidosis.

Lactic acidosis occurs with blood lactic acid levels of > 4 mmol/L

Molar mass Lactic acid, C₃H₆O₃ = 90 g/mol

Mass 4 mmol lactic acid = 0.004 mol * 90 g/mol = 0.36 g

Mass of lactic acid in 1 litre or 1000 mL of blood = 0.36 g

Mass of lactic acid in 4445 mL of blood = 0.36 g * (4445/1000)

Mass of lactic acid in 4445 mL of blood = 1.60 g