When an individual is exercising heavily and the muscle becomes oxygen-deprived, muscle cells convert pyruvate to lactate. What happens to the lactate in skeletal muscle cells?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lactate is taken to the liver via the bloodstream, where it is converted back to pyruvate and can be used in gluconeogenesis or oxidative metabolism. This process is called the Cori cycle. Option A is incorrect because lactate cannot be reduced back to pyruvate in muscle cells. Option B is incorrect, because lactate is not oxidized to CO₂ and water in muscle cells. Option D is incorrect because lactate does not oxidize FADH₂. Option E is incorrect because lactate does not convert to alcohol in muscle cells.

When an Individual Is Exercising Heavily and the Muscle Becomes