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.

Question

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.

excessive supply of oxygen to muscle cells leads to mitochondrial autolysis
excessive supply of ATP to muscle cells leads to hypertonic conditions
inadequate supply of oxygen to muscle cells leads to lactic acid fermentation
inadequate supply of glucose to muscle cells leads to alcohol fermentation

Answer 1

The most likely explanation for muscle fatigue during intense exercise is inadequate supply of oxygen to muscle cells, leading to lactic acid fermentation. When you run as fast as you can, your muscles require a lot of energy in the form of ATP. However, if your cardiovascular system cannot supply enough oxygen to meet the demand, the muscle cells switch to anaerobic respiration, where glucose is broken down without oxygen present. This process generates lactic acid as a byproduct, which can build up in the muscles and cause the burning sensation and weakness experienced during muscle fatigue. Additionally, the accumulation of lactic acid can lead to a decrease in pH, further impairing muscle function.