Question

Why must lactic acid be removed from muscle cells?

a. The lactic acid can poison muscle cells.
b. The lactic acid can cause muscle cells to shrink.
c. The lactic acid can cause muscle cells to enlarge.
d. The lactic acid will cause the cytoplasm to become very diluted

Answer 1

Lactic acid must be removed from muscle cells to prevent it from poisoning muscle cells. Lactic acid accumulation can inhibit muscle function and cause symptoms such as muscle stiffness and fatigue. It must be removed from the muscle and brought to the liver for further metabolism.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lactic acid must be removed from muscle cells because it can poison muscle cells. When there is insufficient oxygen for aerobic respiration to continue, muscle cells undergo lactic acid fermentation to produce ATP. However, lactic acid accumulation can inhibit muscle function and cause symptoms such as muscle stiffness and fatigue.

The enzyme involved in lactic acid fermentation is lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The reaction can proceed in either direction, but it is inhibited by acidic conditions.

In order to eliminate lactic acid, it must be removed from the muscle and brought to the liver for further metabolism. There, it can be converted back to pyruvic acid and catabolized for energy.