The Biology Project: Biochemistry

Metabolism Problem Set

Problem 7: Pyruvate/ Lactate Ratio

Explain why in anaerobic cells the ratio of pyruvate/ lactate is much less than 1 while under aerobic conditions the ratio of pyruvate/ lactate is much greater than 1.

A. lactate is produced from pyruvate only under anaerobic conditions
B. under anaerobic conditions pyruvate is converted to carbon dioxide
C. in anaerobic conditions, pyruvate is converted to glucose using the energy of light
D. lactate is the terminal electron acceptor under aerobic conditions
E. pyruvate is transported into mitochondria under anaerobic conditions


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Tuesday, August 20, 1996
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