Which metabolism occurs without oxygen and can lead to the production of lactic acid?

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Prepare for the CIEMT Medical and Physiology Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions that feature explanations. Ace your test!

Multiple Choice

Which metabolism occurs without oxygen and can lead to the production of lactic acid?

Explanation:
When oxygen is scarce, cells switch to anaerobic metabolism. In this mode, glycolysis still breaks glucose down to pyruvate, but pyruvate is converted to lactate to regenerate NAD+, which is needed to keep glycolysis going and make a little ATP without oxygen. This lactate production can accumulate and contribute to lactic acid buildup, especially if clearance is slow. Aerobic metabolism requires oxygen, cellular hypoxia describes low oxygen conditions rather than a metabolic pathway, and lactic acidosis is a consequence of excess lactate, not the primary metabolic route.

When oxygen is scarce, cells switch to anaerobic metabolism. In this mode, glycolysis still breaks glucose down to pyruvate, but pyruvate is converted to lactate to regenerate NAD+, which is needed to keep glycolysis going and make a little ATP without oxygen. This lactate production can accumulate and contribute to lactic acid buildup, especially if clearance is slow. Aerobic metabolism requires oxygen, cellular hypoxia describes low oxygen conditions rather than a metabolic pathway, and lactic acidosis is a consequence of excess lactate, not the primary metabolic route.

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