Notes for C1.2.9 Conversion of pyruvate to lactate (HL) - IB | RevisionDojo
C1.2.9 Conversion of pyruvate to lactate (HL) Notes
Pyruvate is Converted to Lactate to Regenerate NAD⁺ in Anaerobic Respiration
Glycolysis requires NAD⁺ to continue, but cells have a limited supply.Without oxygen, the electron transport chain can't regenerate NAD⁺, so glycolysis would stop.
To solve this, pyruvate acts as an electron acceptor, allowing NAD⁺ to be recycled.
Analogy
Think of glycolysis as a factoryassemblyline producing ATP.
NAD acts like a conveyor belt, carrying electrons to keep the line moving.
Without oxygen, the conveyor belt gets stuck unless lactate production steps in to clear the jam.
Lactic Acid Fermentation Converts Pyruvate to Lactate and Regenerates NAD⁺
The enzyme lactate dehydrogenase catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to lactate.
NADH donates its electrons to pyruvate, oxidizing NADH back to NAD⁺.
Reaction: Pyruvate + NADH + H⁺ → Lactate + NAD⁺
This does not produce ATP directly—its sole purpose is to regenerate NAD⁺ so glycolysis can keep running.
Pyruvate + NADH + H⁺ → Lactate + NAD⁺
This reaction has two important outcomes:
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Recap question
Why do skeletal muscle cells primarily rely on anaerobic respiration during a 100-meter sprint despite its low ATP yield?
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Note
Introduction to Anaerobic Respiration
Anaerobic respiration is a process that allows cells to generate energy in the absence of oxygen.
It involves glycolysis, followed by the conversion of pyruvate to lactate to regenerate NAD⁺, which is essential for glycolysis to continue.
AnalogyThink of glycolysis as a factory assembly line producing ATP. NAD acts like a conveyor belt, carrying electrons to keep the line moving. Without oxygen, the conveyor belt gets stuck unless lactate production steps in to clear the jam.
