If you run as fast as you can, your muscles may begin to feel weak and have a burning sensation. Explain what is occurring in your muscle cells that account for this muscle fatigue.
a
inadequate supply of glucose to muscle cells leads to alcohol fermentation
b
inadequate supply of oxygen to muscle cells leads to lactic acid fermentation
c
excessive supply of ATP to muscle cells leads to hypertonic conditions
d
excessive supply of oxygen to muscle cells leads to mitochondrial autolysis
b
inadequate supply of oxygen to muscle cells leads to lactic acid fermentation
The correct answer is b) inadequate supply of oxygen to muscle cells leads to lactic acid fermentation.
When you run as fast as you can, your muscles require a constant supply of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is produced through cellular respiration, a process that requires oxygen. However, during intense exercise, your muscles may consume oxygen faster than it can be supplied to them, leading to oxygen deficiency or inadequate supply.
In the absence of sufficient oxygen, your muscle cells switch to an alternative energy production process called anaerobic respiration or fermentation. Specifically, they undergo lactic acid fermentation. This process involves breaking down glucose without the presence of oxygen to produce energy. However, lactic acid is also produced as a byproduct.
The accumulation of lactic acid in the muscle cells causes the muscles to feel weak and produce a burning sensation. This buildup of lactic acid is thought to be one of the main factors contributing to muscle fatigue during intense exercise.
The correct answer is b) inadequate supply of oxygen to muscle cells leads to lactic acid fermentation.
When you run as fast as you can, your muscles need to generate a large amount of energy to meet the increased demand for activity. To produce this energy, your muscle cells undergo a series of chemical reactions known as cellular respiration.
During cellular respiration, glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen to release energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). However, when you engage in intense exercise, the demand for oxygen exceeds the supply, leading to an oxygen deficit in your muscle cells. This oxygen deficit triggers an alternative pathway called anaerobic glycolysis.
During anaerobic glycolysis, glucose is still broken down, but in the absence of oxygen. This process results in the production of lactic acid instead of ATP. Lactic acid buildup in the muscles causes them to feel weak and fatigued, and it contributes to the burning sensation you experience during intense exercise.
Therefore, the inadequate supply of oxygen to muscle cells leads to lactic acid fermentation, which is responsible for the muscle fatigue and burning sensation you feel when running as fast as you can.