Why is pyruvate reduced to lactate during fermentation? A)to produce more ATP only B)to produce CO₂ only C)to regenerate NAD⁺ from NADH D)to produce both ATP and CO₂. E)to produce ATP and regenerate NAD⁺ from NADH

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pyruvate is reduced to lactate during fermentation in order to regenerate NAD+ from NADH. This is necessary for glycolysis to continue producing ATP in the absence of oxygen. Without fermentation, the accumulation of NADH would inhibit glycolysis and ATP production would stop. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not fully explain why pyruvate is reduced to lactate during fermentation.

Why Is Pyruvate Reduced to Lactate During Fermentation