1.8 - Energy in Muscle Cells

Energy in Muscle Cells

Higher Human Biology 1.8

During vigorous exercise, the muscle cells don't receive enough oxygen to go from glycolysis to the citric acid cycle. Instead, under these conditions, the pyruvate that is produced from glycolysis is converted to lactate. 

The conversion of pyruvate to lactate involves the transfer of the hydrogen from the coenzyme NADH to pyruvate in order to produce lactate. This allows the NAD to be reused in ATP production through glycolysis. 

The build-up of lactate causes muscle fatigue to happen. The oxygen debt is repaid when exercise is complete and allows respiration to provide energy to convert lactate back to pyruvate and glucose in the liver.

Skeletal muscle is connected to the skeleton by tendons and contracts to…